I am planning to do invitro transcription and capping for an mRNA vaccine generation. Can anyone suggest whether it should be done on a bench top or inside a laminar hood?
A laminar flow hood is preferable if you have access to it and it's clean. A bench is also suitable if need be. The most important thing is that the work area is free from RNases. Use a decontaminant surface spray (like RNaseZAP or RNase Away) on work surfaces, your gloved hands, your equipment (pipettes etc) and touch points in the lab (the PCR machine panel, the centrifuge lid and knobs, drawer handles, etc etc.) Use reagents, plasticware and other consumables that are certified RNase-free by the manufacturer, and only ever opened/used under RNase-free conditions. If RNases are eliminated from the environment and workflow, IVT is pretty easy. Good luck :)