Quality Check for RNA Samples

Quality and integrity of RNA samples can be measured using the following techniques:

• UV/VIS Ratios
• Absorption 260/230 ratio ≥ 1.0 and 260/280 ratio ≥ 1.8
• Low 260/280 ratios are often attributed to phenol and/or protein contaminations.
• Low 260/230 ratios are usually attributed to salt (e.g. guanidine isothiocyanate) and/or phenol contaminations.
• “High-salt”, seen as 260/230 ratio less than 1.0,
• Bio-analyzer
• RIN (RNA integrity) ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the most degraded profile and 10 being the most intact.
• Gel Electrophoresis (200 ng of RNA must be loaded onto the gel)
• RNA sample integrity can also be evaluated using one of several standard denaturing gel electrophoresis methods.