Total RNA Extraction Kits | Thermo Fisher Scientific

RNA reactions being pipetted into multiple 8-strip PCR tubes

What is total RNA?

Total RNA is all the RNA in a cell/sample, including transfer RNA (tRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), and micro RNA (miRNA or microRNA). Starting with high-quality, pure, and intact total RNA is critical for many experiments (e.g., RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, array analysis, northern blots, nuclease protection assays, and RNA-seq). Choosing the RNA isolation kit that best fits your research workflow begins with selecting the purification method to use on your samples. Common RNA extraction methods include organic reagent lysis, magnetic bead separation, and silica column filtration, which are discussed

View selection guide Learn about mRNA kits

Selection guide: Which total RNA extraction kit meets your needs?

Best for	Gold standard for highly pure, intact RNA	High-quality RNA in less than 30 minutes	High-quality RNA in less than 20 minutes	High-throughput purification of RNA and DNA	No-purification system for qPCR results
Product	TRIzol reagents	RiboPure kits	PureLink kits	MagMAX kits	Cells to C_T kits
Isolation method	Organic extraction	Organic extraction and silica column	Silica column	Magnetic beads	Chemical lysis and enzymes
Prep time	~1 hr	<30 minutes	20 minutes	~45 minutes	10 minutes
Compatible sample types	Most sample types, particularly more difficult to lyse	Tissues, cells, blood, bacteria, yeast	Cells and tissues	Tissues, cells, blood, serum/plasma, urine, plants	Cells
Amount of starting material	100 mg of tissue or 10⁷ cells (requires 1 mL reagent)	5–100 mg of tissue or 0.1–20 x 10⁶ cultured cells	Up to 200 mg tissue or 5 x 10⁶ to 1 x 10⁸cells	Up to 100 mg tissue or 5 x 10⁶cells	1–100,000 cells
Reverse transcription reagents included					✓
qPCR master mix included					✓
High throughput compatible		✓	✓ (plate format available)	✓	✓

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Comparing total RNA purification kits

Serving the need to isolate total RNA from a variety of sample types and to different purity levels, there are several Invitrogen total RNA extraction kit options. Different purification methods vary for sample type, as well as the types of downstream experiments in which the total RNA will be used.

Skip RNA purification for qPCR analysis

Organic total RNA extraction and purification kits

Organic solvents for RNA extraction offer proven performance (used in thousands of peer-reviewed studies), a simple method requiring no extra devices, and good value for the laboratory.

TRIzol reagents are monophasic solutions containing phenol and guanidine thiocyanate that offer:

Broadest sample type compatibility
Robust method
Excellent performance for difficult samples (e.g., high-lipid tissue) and scalable sample input

Explore TRIzol reagents

RiboPure kits are designed for rapid purification of high-quality RNA from tissue samples or cultured cells. The kit combines TRIzol reagent with glass-fiber filter purification to yield pure RNA, free of residual proteins and lipids.

Ideal for the most stringent downstream applications
Handles problematic samples with ease—also available for yeast cells and human and mouse blood cells
Fast and easy procedure

Learn more about RiboPure RNA purification kits

Magnetic bead RNA purification kits

Magnetic particles offer solution-phase binding and washing kinetics to facilitate RNA purification and improved sample handling, including automation, ideal for higher throughput processing.

MagMAX mirVana Total RNA Isolation Kit utilizes magnetic beads to purify high yields of total RNA using silica-magnetic particle technology. MagMAX magnetic bead kits offer:

Flexible and scalable throughput
Automation-friendly design
Better removal of inhibitors and low elution volume resulting in more concentrated RNA

Explore MagMAX magnetic beads

Silica column for RNA extraction

Silica membrane filter columns allow fast and easy RNA extraction resulting in pure total RNA that can be used in most applications. Silica columns employ an easy bind-wash-elute process for the extraction of RNA that is cost-efficient.

Invitrogen PureLink purification columns offer:

A fast and easy method suitable for most downstream uses
Wide sample type compatibility
Familiar spin column format commonly used for low-medium throughput

Learn about PureLink purification columns

Resources

Nucleic Acid Purification and Analysis Support Center
Find tips, troubleshooting help, and resources for your nucleic acid purification & analysis applications.

Protocol Videos—Videos to help you isolate nucleic acids using a variety of techniques.
DNA & RNA Selection Guide—Find the right purification products.
Videos—View our library of DNA & RNA purification and analysis videos.
Application Notes—Explore our application notes from scientists sharing data for isolation products

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

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