Piotr Chomczynski

One-hour downward alkaline capillary transfer for blotting of DNA and RNA

The downward alkaline capillary transfer of DNA and RNA from agarose gel to a hybridization membrane was performed using a transfer solution containing 3 M NaCl and 8 mM NaOH. Under mild alkaline conditions, DNA and RNA were completely eluted from the agarose gel and bound to a hybridization membrane within 1 h. On the basis of this new method of transfer a blotting protocol, downward alkaline blotting, was elaborated. It provides a fast and efficient alternative to commonly used Southern and Northern blotting protocols. The downward alkaline blotting of DNA and RNA can be completed in 2.5 and 1.5 h, respectively, and can be used with both plastic and nitrocellulose membranes. In addition, the downward alkaline blotting protocol allows for a hybridization efficiency of DNA and RNA higher than that of the standard blotting protocols performed at neutral pH.

DNA Extraction from small blood volumes and the processing of cellulose blood cards for use in polymerase chain reaction

This article describes two procedures for the purification of genomic DNA from small blood volumes of whole blood using DNAzol®BD. In the first procedure, DNA is isolated from 1–20 μL of whole blood using a fast and simple protocol that is appropriate for the simultaneous extraction of a large number of samples. The isolated DNA is suitable for gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the second procedure, cellulose blood cards containing approx 5 μL of dried blood are treated with DNAzol BD in order to retain DNA on the cellulose matrix while removing other cellular components. The blood card with DNA subsequently serves as template in PCR. The blood card processing and amplification procedures are performed in the same PCR tube without any centrifugation steps, making the combined procedures amenable for automated DNA preparation and amplification in a single tube.

Inter-Individual Differences in RNA Levels in Human Peripheral Blood

Relatively little is known about the range of RNA levels in human blood. This report provides assessment of peripheral blood RNA level and its inter-individual differences in a group of 35 healthy humans consisting of 25 females and 10 males ranging in age from 50 to 89 years. In this group, the average total RNA level was 14.59 μg/ml of blood, with no statistically significant difference between females and males. The individual RNA level ranged from 6.7 to 22.7 μg/ml of blood. In healthy subjects, the repeated sampling of an individual’s blood showed that RNA level, whether high or low, was stable. The inter-individual differences in RNA level in blood can be attributed to both, differences in cell number and the amount of RNA per cell. The 3.4-fold range of inter-individual differences in total RNA levels, documented herein, should be taken into account when evaluating the results of quantitative RT-PCR and/or RNA sequencing studies of human blood. Based on the presented results, a comprehensive assessment of gene expression in blood should involve determination of both the amount of mRNA per unit of total RNA (U / ng RNA) and the amount of mRNA per unit of blood (U / ml blood) to assure a thorough interpretation of physiological or pathological relevance of study results.