RNA Extraction from Fresh or Frozen Tissues

RNA can be isolated from fresh or frozen tissue, then purified and quantified for subsequent molecular analysis. RNA is quite labile compared to DNA for good reason: RNA is the transient message that transmits information from activated genes. Once gene transcription is turned off, no more RNA is produced, and preexisting RNA is rapidly degraded to prevent continued translation of proteins. Because RNA is so labile, special care is required at all steps of RNA extraction to prevent RNA degradation.