Northern Blot Analysis – mRNA and Total RNA

Total RNA for northern analysis will frequently result in barely detectable hybridization signals and isolation of mRNA is generally preferred.

Only 1–5% of the total RNA in the cytoplasm of a typical eukaryotic cell is mature mRNA. This mRNA may occur in high, medium, or low abundance. By using mRNA instead of total RNA, cleaner results of greater sensitivity are obtained. The reduced background and increased signal intensity help ensure your results are unambiguous.

Steps for northern blot analysis include RNA isolation, probe generation, denaturing samples, transferring to a charged nylon membrane, and immobilized for hybridization, followed by washing and detection. Learn more with our Step-by-Step Guide to Northern Blot Analysis.

Benefits of mRNA isolation with Dynabeads Oligo(dT)25

• Isolate mRNA from total RNA or directly from crude samples in only 15 minutes.
• The isolation protocol can be scaled up or down.
• Easy and efficient magnetic handling minimizes losses caused by sample manipulations.
• Stringent hybridization and washing buffers along with strong RNase inhibition helps ensure isolation of full-length, intact mRNA.
• Dynabeads Oligo(dT)25 can be regenerated and reused at least four times.

Isolate mRNA with Dynabeads
Dynabeads Oligo(dT)25 allows the isolation of mRNA directly from crude samples or from total RNA. The flexible and scalable method fits any sample size, and is particularly useful for northern analysis starting from small amounts of sample material.

The unique paramagnetic properties of Dynabeads facilitate easy and efficient handling, whilst also eliminating the requirement for centrifugation, precipitation, and the use of hazardous chemicals. Using a solid-phase enables all procedures to be conducted in a single tube and helps ensure that losses caused by multiple sample manipulations are minimized. This is particularly important when working with small and precious samples or when isolating low-abundance transcripts.

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