RNA Quality Checking

RNA quality is crucial for successful microarray hybridization. We strong recommend checking RNA quality before performing RNA hybridization.

The Genomics Core provides checking of RNA quality (Request Form) using the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer (RNA chip) together with Degradometer software.

ATTENTION: Careless use of the Agilent Bioanalyzer has contaminated the electro-probe. This has happened on several occasions resulting in significant loss of staff time and effort and contamination of other users samples. Therefore, we are forced to change our policy. From now on, only Genomics Core Facility Staff will operate the Bioanlyzer. Users of the Genomics Core Facility should submit their RNA samples to the facility for analysis of RNA quality.

Degradation

Intact RNA	Slightly degraded	Severely degraded

Signal intensities of 28S and 18S rRNA are reduced, baseline is increased with degradation.

Apoptosis

Intact RNA	Apoptosis (early)	Apoptosis (Late)

Signal intensity of 28S rRNA is reduced compared to 18S, two cleavage products of 28S rRNA appear.