Platform for gene-expression studies is based on superparamagnetic separation technologies, and can consistently isolate poly A+ mRNA with or without prior total RNA preparation
Dynal Biotech's new range of Dynabeads mRNA isolation products enable even the most difficult sources - including embryos - to be used to provide material suitable for downstream HTS gene expression studies.
"The reliability and simplicity of Dynabeads separation makes them the mRNA isolation method of choice for gene expression," says Tone Yrvum, product manager, molecular systems.
"Separations are easily scaleable; mRNA can be isolated from any quantity of cells and can be used to prepare mRNA for any type of microarray, macroarray, or chip.
"Whatever the starting material and intended destination, Dynabeads will get you from A to B quicker, easier and more consistently than any other protocol. "Actually, the separation of mRNA takes only 15 minutes".
Based on superparamagnetic separation technologies, pioneered and developed by Dynal Biotech, Dynabeads Oligo (dT)25, and associated kits, can consistently isolate poly A+ mRNA with or without prior total RNA preparation, it is claimed.
More importantly, the source of RNA can be controlled using Dynal Biotech's cell-specific Dynabeads to select cells based on distinctive surface marker proteins.
These magnetic separations avoid the complications of centrifugation or other cell sorting procedures, thus decreasing degradation by reducing the time between cell/tissue harvesting and RNA extraction.
The beads themselves are highly engineered to provide uniform spheres with even magnetic properties and maximum surface area, and remain dispersed in solution.
Their chemically inert nature allows downstream applications to be performed whilst the mRNA is immobilised on the bead, producing a reusable platform for gene-expression studies - evidence also shows that RT-PCR is more efficient.
The beads and mRNA can be recovered at various stages of a reaction and can therefore be used to produce a stable, reusable cDNA library - especially useful when original template is at a premium.
The magnetic separation process not only supports numerous downstream applications, but also ensures that they are free from contaminating material, since the process does not use chemicals classically associated with RNA extraction such as DTT, chaotropic salts, and DNase.
Instead, with the RNA bound to the beads, the unwanted material remains in solution and is decanted.
The ease of this isolation procedure facilitates the use of liquid handling platforms, such as Tecan's Freedom Evo or Beckman Coulter's Biomek FX, to greatly increase sample throughput.
Dynal Biotech's mRNA Dynabeads kits include Dynabeads mRNA Purification kit for isolation from total RNA; Dynabeads mRNA Direct for isolation direct from cell and tissue lysates; Dynabeads mRNA Direct Micro for isolation from cell and tissue lysate with subsequent reusable cDNA template production for RT-PCR; Dynabeads Leucocytes mRNA and Monocytes mRNA isolation kits specifically for whole blood leucocyte and monocyte mRNA isolation respectively; and Dynabeads oligo (dT)25 for scalable standard and de novo applications.
