Methods and reagents for preserving rna in cell and tissue samples

Abstract

This specification relates to the field of molecular biology and provides novel methods and reagents for preserving and protecting the ribonucleic acid (RNA) content of samples from degradation prior to RNA isolation. This preservation may be accomplished without ultra-low temperature storage or disruption of the tissue.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of preserving RNA comprising: (i) obtaining an RNA-containing sample; and (ii) treating the sample with an RNA preservation medium that infiltrates the sample and protects the RNA from nucleases. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the RNA preservation medium precipitates the RNA in the sample along with cellular protein in the sample and renders the RNA inaccessible to nucleases. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the RNA preservation medium comprises a salt. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the salt is a sulfate salt. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the salt is ammonium sulfate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the salt is present in a concentration between 20 g/100 ml and the saturating concentration of the salt. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the salt is ammonium sulfate in a concentration of between 30 g/100 ml and 80 g/100 ml. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the RNA preservation medium comprises a combination of at least two salts. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the total salt concentration is between 20 g/100 ml and 100 g/100 ml. 
     
     
         20 . A kit for preserving RNA within a sample and isolating the RNA from the sample comprising: (i) an RNA preservation medium that infiltrates the sample and protects the RNA from nucleases; and (ii) a reagent for performing an RNA extraction from the sample. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the reagent for performing an RNA extraction is a reagent for performing a guanidinium-based RNA extraction. 
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the reagent for performing an RNA extraction is a reagent for performing a lithium chloride-based RNA extraction. 
     
     
         23 . A method of preserving RNA comprising: (i) obtaining an RNA-containing sample; (ii) providing a salt; and (iii) admixing the sample and the salt in a liquid to form an RNA preservation composition that infiltrates the sample and protects the RNA from nucleases. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the sample is comprised in the liquid prior to admixing the sample with the salt. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the sample is a blood cell and the liquid is blood serum. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the liquid is a buffer. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the salt is in a solid form prior to admixing with the sample and the liquid. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the salt is comprised in the liquid prior to admixing the sample with the salt. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the salt is a sulfate salt.