DNA / RNA extraction from freeze dried tissue - (Apr/06/2006 )

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone out there had successfully used freeze dried tissue (esp. Arabidopsis) for extraction of DNA or RNA. I know this technique is used for extractions from fungal tissue.
Thanks for your time.
George

-GE0RGE-

We regularly used to isolate gDNA from freeze dried plant tissue

The trick in getting high molecular weight DNA is to do the freeze drying quickly immediately after taking the tissue

-John Buckels-

Thanks for replying, John.
Did you use a standard genomic DNA prep (I normally use a CTAB buffer and phenol / chloroform)? Is it tougher to get rid of contaminating carbohydrates etc?

-GE0RGE-

We used either a salting out prep based on the miller technique (similar to Gentra's puregene but homebrew), or a modified CTAB method

Polysaccharides can be a problem for some preps but with CTAB followed by phenol/chloroform you should be just fine

-John Buckels-

Thanks again!

-GE0RGE-

You won't get any useful RNA out though

-John Buckels-

Thanks. I had feared as much.

-GE0RGE-