RNA Isolation from Pico-scale samples (1 cell (10-25pg) - 10mg tissue) with the PicoPure | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Skip Navigation RNA Isolation from Pico-scale samples (1 cell (10-25pg) - 10mg tissue) with the PicoPure Close the left navigation Add RNA Isolation from Pico-scale samples (1 cell (10-25pg) - 10mg tissue) with the PicoPure Protocol for Use with CapSure™ Macro LCM Caps Protocol for Use with <10mg Frozen Tissue Columns can handle: 1 cell (10-25pg) – 10mg tissue Yields of total RNA: 0.001ng –100μg Materials PicoPure™ RNA Isolation Kit, Arcturus # KIT0202 / KIT0204, exp. date: 6 months Reagents and Supplies in kit: Item Vial Name Conditioning Buffer CB Extraction Buffer XB 70% Ethanol EtOH Wash Buffer 1 W1 Wash Buffer 2 W2 Elution Buffer EB RNA purification columns with collection tubes Microcentrifuge tubes RNase-Free DNase Set, Qiagen #79254 Prepare DNase I stock solution before using for the first time: Dissolve the solid DNase I (1500 Kunitz units) in 550μl RNase-free water. Mix gently by inverting tube (do not vortex) Divide the stock solution into single-use aliquots, and store -20oC for up to 9 months. Thawed aliquots can be stored at 2-8oC for up to 6 weeks. Do not refreeze aliquots after thawing. Microcentrifuge 2 – 20μl pipettor 20 – 200μl pipettor 100 – 1000μl pipettor Incubation oven Recommendations for Storing RNA Cell extracts resulting from completion of Part I may be stored at –80oC. Use isolated RNA immediately for amplification, or store at –80oC for up to 6 months. Methods RNA Extraction For LCM sample Mix XB. If precipitate is present, warm and mix. Pipette 50μl into a 0.5 ml tube. Insert and invert CapSure Macro LCM Cap-μtube assembly. Incubate assembly at 42oC for 30 min. Invert and centrifuge assembly at 800 x g for 2 min. Remove the CapSure Macro LCM Cap and save the microcentrifuge tube with the cell extract in it. Proceed with RNA isolation protocol or freeze cell extract at –80oC. For Frozen Pico-scale samples Add 50μl XB to tube containing frozen tissue Briefly vortex Incubate 42oC, 30min, 500rpm Centrifuge 3,000 x g, 2min Pipette supernatant to new tube (avoid pick-up of pelleted material) RNA Isolation Pre-condition the RNA Purification Column: Pipette 250μl CB onto the purification column filter membrane. Incubate for 5 min at RT Centrifuge the column at 16,000 x g for 1 min. Pipette equal volume (50 μl) of 70% EtOH into the cell extract from Part I. Mix well by pipetting up and down. DO NOT CENTRIFUGE. Pipette the cell extract and EtOH mixture into the pre-conditioned purification column (~100μl). To bind RNA to the column, centrifuge at 100 x g for 2 min , immediately followed by centrifugation at 16,000 x g for 30 sec to remove flowthrough. Pipette 100μl W1 into the column and centrifuge at 8,000 x g for 1 min DNase treatment Pipette 40μl DNase solution mix directly into the purification column membrane. For LCM and small samples: 5μl DNase I Stock solution + 35μl Buffer RDD. Mix by gently inverting. For larger (pico-scale) samples: 10μl DNase I Stock solution + 30μl Buffer RDD. Mix by gently inverting. Incubate RT, 15 min. Pipette 40μl W1 into the column and centrifuge at 8,000 x g for 15 sec. Pipette 100μl W2 into the column and centrifuge at 8,000 x g for 1 min Pipette 100μl W2 into the column and centrifuge at 16,000 x g for 2 min Discard flowthrough waste and recentrifuge the column at 16,000 x g for 1 min to remove all traces of wash buffer prior to elution step. Transfer the purification column to a new 0.5ml microcentrifuge tube (provided in kit). Pipette 12μl EB directly onto the membrane of the purification column (gently touch the tip of the pipette to the surface of the membrane while dispensing the elution buffer to ensure maximum absorption of EB into the membrane). Incubate the purification column at RT for 1 min. Centrifuge the column at 1,000 x g for 1 min to distribute EB in the column, then at 16,000 x g for 1 min to elute RNA. ••to avoid potential breakage of the microcentrifuge tube cap during centrifugation, insert the pur. column/0.5ml tube assembly into a lidless 1.7/2.0ml tube. Insert this assembly into adjacent rotor holes as illustrated. Rest the tube cap against the tube immediately clockwise to it. Place an empty lidless 1.7/2.0ml tube into the rotor hole adjacent in the clockwise direction to the last assembly. RNA Concentration Quantify using NanoDrop. Use a known RNA sample to verify NanoDrop is measuring accurately. RNA Qualit Submit sample (500-1000pg/μl) to NMG for BioAnalyzer using PicoChip. Related Links Molecular Genomics Core Facility Back to Top Last Reviewed: February 05, 2026