The Ultimate Guide to Maximizing Your RNA Concentration

Introduction

Increasing RNA concentration is a very common requirement in molecular biology experiments. The following two points are crucial.

1. Selection and Processing of Starting Material

1.1 Increase the amount of starting material:

This is the most straightforward approach. Use more tissue or cells within the allowable capacity of the lysis buffer. For example, if the kit recommends 10–50 mg of tissue, you can try using the upper limit of 50 mg or even slightly more (ensuring the lysis buffer fully covers and lyses the material).

1.2 Select materials with high RNA expression:

If the experiment allows, choose tissues or cells that are rich in cytoplasm and metabolically active, as they naturally contain higher RNA levels.

1.3 Efficiently disrupt the sample:

•   Tissue: Grind thoroughly in liquid nitrogen until it becomes a fine powder before adding the lysis buffer. Alternatively, use a tissue homogenizer for complete homogenization. Inefficient disruption is one of the main reasons for low yield.
•   Cells: Ensure the lysis buffer makes full and rapid contact with the cells. For adherent cells, directly add the lysis buffer to the culture dish and pipette to lyse.

2. Optimizing the Extraction Process

Magnetic Bead-Based RNA Extraction: How to Easily Obtain High-Concentration RNA and Further Concentrate It

The key to achieving high RNA concentration with magnetic bead-based extraction is maximizing binding and minimizing elution volume.

Steps to Increase Concentration During Extraction:

• Increase sample input without diluting: Fundamentally, use more tissue or cells within the lysis buffer’s capacity.
• Optimize binding: Ensure thorough mixing of the lysis buffer with the sample for complete lysis. After adding magnetic beads, allow sufficient incubation time (e.g., 10 minutes at room temperature) for RNA to fully bind to the beads.
• Critical step: Reduce elution volume! This is the most direct and effective method. Instead of using the maximum recommended elution volume (e.g., 50 μL), try eluting with 20 μL or even 15 μL of RNase-free water. Pre-warming the elution buffer to 55–65°C and letting it incubate for 2–5 minutes can significantly improve elution efficiency.

3.Conclusion

For optimal results, consider using magnetic bead-based extraction reagents from Shanghai Lingjun Biotechnology Co., Ltd. The company has over a decade of dedicated experience in magnetic bead-based extraction technology and specializes in magnetic bead research.

Supplier

Shanghai Lingjun Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was established in 2016 which is a professional manufacturer of biomagnetic materials and nucleic acid extraction reagents.

We have rich experience in nucleic acid extraction and purification, protein purification, cell separation, chemiluminescence, and other technical fields.

Our products are widely used in many fields, such as medical testing, genetic testing, university research, genetic breeding, and so on. We not only provide products but also can undertake OEM, ODM, and other needs. If you have a related need, please feel free to contact us .