6 replies to this topic

[angeloalt87]

Hi guys, I'm looking for some 'important' difference between DNA and RNA extraction, using Qiagen RNAeasy for RNA and salt precipitation for DNA extraction.
I read a lot of books but I did not find a specifics handbook or else; some one can help me?  

[bob1]

What sort of important difference? technique? chemistry? differentiation between the two?...

[Trof]

I second bob1's questions.
RNeasy is said to be designed to specifically bind DNA in lesser content than other silica columns, that bind both nucleic acids roughly the same. Salt precipitation IMHO works the same on both nucleic acids as it is used as a isolation step in both. But AFAIK it's not a complete method, but only part of it, you need to lyse the cells first and then if you do it by clasic phenol/chlorophorm extraction, the pH of phenol varies whether you want DNA or RNA.

[angeloalt87]

The important difference that i'm looking for is technique of working with DNA and RNA.
Trof, could you suggest me a good book that I can read this information?
thank you!

[bob1]

The techniques used for extracting are very similar, after all, DNA and RNA are essentially the same molecule, just one has fewer oxygen atoms (deoxy...).

Have a look for "Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual" by Sambrook and Russell.  It is the "bible" for molecular biology.

[Trof]

Or Current Protocols in Molecular Biology.
But we use protocols that are kind of inherited so I didn't really needed to look up DNA or RNA isolation in these books.

[angeloalt87]

Thank you very much for the books, they are good books; and thank you for the help!!