The EpiQuik™ Viral RNA Isolation Fast Kit is a complete set of optimized buffers and reagents suitable for quick preparation of viral RNA from cell-free liquid specimens (excluding plasma and serum), specifically from saliva and nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs. The specialized buffering system allows RNA to bind to the glass fiber matrix of the spin column while contaminants pass through the column. Impurities are efficiently washed away, and pure RNA is eluted. The RNA purified with the kit can be used for a variety of routine applications, specifically for RT-PCR. This kit has the following advantages and features:
Total RNA was isolated from nasal swab samples with the EpiQuik™ Viral RNA Isolation Fast Kit and used for RT-PCR analysis. A: Nasopharyngeal swab samples were spiked with SARS-CoV-2-N positive control; B: Nasopharyngeal swab samples were not spiked with SARS-CoV-2-N positive control. PCR was processed with use of primers and probes against SARS-CoV-2 N1/N2 and human RNase P gene (internal control).
Principle & ProcedureThe kit contains all the reagents required for successfully performing RNA isolation directly from cell-free samples (excluding plasma and serum). After lysis, binding, and wash, RNA is easily recovered in quantities of up to 5 µg using specially designed columns. Total RNA is then ready to be used for a variety of downstream applications.
Starting MaterialsThe amount of starting materials can be up to 400 µl of liquid volume, with the best volume of 200 µl. A total of 50 standard extractions (using 200 µl of sample) can be performed with this kit.
Competitor Kit Comparison
Using This Kit With m6A RNA AssaysColumn- and magnetic bead-based systems provide a quick and convenient means to extract the viral RNA genome from clinical specimens. EpiGentek offers a variety of magnetic bead and spin column kits to isolate viral RNA, which are ideal for downstream PCR applications. Detergents and chaotropic salt are used to lyse cells and inactivate RNases. A specialized high salt buffering system allows RNA bases to bind to the magnetic beads or to the glass fiber matrix of the spin column while contaminants pass through. Impurities are efficiently washed away, and pure nucleic acid is eluted with an aqueous buffer. For PCR analysis, primers targeting the viral genome can be used in conjunction with those that amplify the RNase P gene of host DNA, which also binds to the columns/beads and serves as an internal or extraction control. For analysis of the viral RNA epigenome, additional sample processing is required to obtain suitable yields and purity. As contaminating DNA also contains epigenetic modifications that can be detected during such analysis, methods to further remove host nucleic acid should be combined with these viral RNA extraction kits before pursuing RNA methylation quantification and other epigenetic-related assays to specifically analyze the viral epigenome. To find out what common purification techniques are employed to deplete host-derived contamination that might interfere with epigenetic studies of viruses, click here.