Sample Preparation and Isolation of RNA or DNA
Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cell Lines
Cell lines offer an accessible, easy-to-use set of models for biological study and can provide sufficient quantities of RNA/DNA for almost any application. Asuragen Services staff has performed RNA/DNA isolation from cultured cells for over 15 years. Learn more about how we qualify our methods and staff.
Description of Services
Deliverables
Quality Control
Turn-around Time
Typical Yields
Additional Services Available
Catalog Numbers for Cell Line Sample Prep Services
Description of Services
Features of these sample prep services:
- All RNA isolation methods optimized to recover miRNA
- Methods may utilize exogenous DNA or RNA spiked-in controls
- Asuragen-isolated RNA or DNA suitable for numerous downstream applications, including expression profiling and genotyping studies (click here for additional services)
Workflow for sample prep:
- Cell disruption (if required)
- Column-based isolation and cleanup
- DNAse treatment (if applicable)
- QC by NanoDrop spectrophotometer and Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer
- Re-purification and/or concentration if required
Deliverables
Regardless of downstream application, detailed QC reports including nucleic acid concentration, RNA integrity (RIN), electropherograms (where applicable), and purity are provided on each sample. Purified nucleic acid samples are shipped back to you on dry ice. Asuragen ships samples Monday through Wednesday and will notify you upon shipment.
Isolation services are often utilized with Asuragen’s molecular profiling services. Surplus RNA or DNA will be discarded unless otherwise requested. Additional shipping charges may apply for the return of residual blocks, RNA, or DNA.
Quality Control
No matter how robust the downstream processes, good data is dependent on sample quality; consequently, accurate measurement of sample quality is essential before deciding if a sample merits further analysis. All samples prepared by Asuragen Services are routinely qualified by spectrophotometry with the NanoDrop spectrophotometer and the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. If you have chosen to use Asuragen Services for additional services and a sample does not pass the recommended QC metrics for analysis, you will be contacted promptly to discuss possible solutions. These may include replacing the sample or re-isolating the RNA, excluding the sample from further analysis, or proceeding at-risk.
High Quality RNA

RNA was isolated from colon tumor tissue by Asuragen and run on the Agilent 2100 BioAnalyzer to show integrity (red line). The same RNA was incubated overnight at 37°C to show stability (blue line). This data shows that there was no change in RNA quality and integrity after extended incubation.
These rigorous procedures enable Asuragen to be the only service provider to offer a Data Quality Guarantee:
- If, for any reason, a qualified sample does not pass our process control specifications, we will re-run the sample at no additional charge.
Read more about our commitment to the best possible data quality, or read about our contributions to in-process controls and standardization.
Turn-around Time
Most projects are completed in two weeks or less. If you have a critical time requirement, we can often meet your need for no additional charge. Read more about our commitment to prompt turn-around times
Typical Yields
Human Cell Lines Standard Yields*
* Yield information derived from large scale preps; these values should be used as a nominal guide. Please consult with our technical experts prior to submitting samples.
Additional Services Available
mRNA Analysis:
Affymetrix Gene Expression Profiling Service
Illumina Gene Expression Profiling Services
miRNA Analysis:
Ambion/Affymetrix DiscovArray miRNA Expression Profiling
Agilent Human miRNA Microarray Service
Applied Biosystems TaqMan miRNA Expression Services
DNA Analysis:
Applied Biosystems TaqMan Gene Expression or SNP Detection Services
Data Analysis:
Asuragen’s Informatics Team offers a broad range of analytical services to help you get the most information from your data.
Catalog Numbers for Cell Line Sample Prep Services
| CA0041 | Isolation, Total RNA from cell pellet |
| CA0025 | Isolation, DNA |
| CA0010 | QC, NanoDrop and Bioanalyzer, Total RNA, for mRNA Applications |
| CA0032 | QC, NanoDrop and TaqMan, Total RNA, for miRNA Applications |
| CA0037 | QC, NanoDrop and TaqMan, Total RNA, for mRNA PCR |
Requirements for Cell Line Sample Prep and Related Services
Sample Input Requirements for the services listed above are found in the Sample Submission Form and Shipping Instructions.

