RNA Spike-In Kit, For RT

The RNA Spike-In Kit enables quality control of the RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification steps of miRCURY LNA miRNA PCR or miRCURY LNA miRNA Probe PCR experiments. Identifying any poor-quality samples early in the process saves you time and reagents. Plus, the kit is easy to use and comes in a premixed format that allows you to use only the spike-ins you need for your analyses.

Checking sample quality and PCR efficiency

Together with the miRCURY LNA miRNA QC PCR Panel, the RNA Spike-in Kit for RT offers a unique and comprehensive way of checking sample quality and PCR efficiency. The panel is compatible with many sample types, including cell cultures, tissue samples and biofluids from human, mouse, rat, monkey and dog (see figure miRCURY LNA miRNA QC PCR Panels can be used with a wide range of sample types).

Test your isolated RNA to find outliers and suboptimal samples (see figure Determine RNA yields using the RNA Spike-in Kit), including serum/plasma samples affected by hemolysis (see figure Assessing if samples are affected by hemolysis). This saves time and resources in the laboratory.

The RNA Spike-In Kit can also be used for experiments using the individual assays with the miRCURY LNA miRNA PCR (for SYBR^® Green) or miRCURY LNA miRNA Probe PCR systems. Individual assays for the relevant spike-in template are available in both the SYBR^® Green and the probe-based miRCURY LNA PCR systems.

Features

Use the RNA Spike-In Kit for quality control of the RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis steps of your miRCURY LNA miRNA PCR or miRCURY LNA miRNA Probe PCR experiments. It is important for any qPCR experiment to ensure that the quality of the input RNA is sufficiently high for effective amplification. By introducing spike-in RNAs during RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis and comparing the qPCR results to those from endogenous reference genes, you can gain important information about the quality of your samples (see figure Overview of issues and conclusions). The kit offers a wide dynamic range, which is ideal for controlling these processes (see figure  The RNA Spike-in Kit covers the full range of miRNA expression levels).

Product coverage

Our RNA spike-ins (UniSp2, UniSp4, UniSp5, UniSp6) resemble miRNAs in structure but lack close sequence similarities to known miRNAs. The kit also includes a synthetic version of the C. elegans miRNA, cel-miR-39-3p.

The RNA Spike-In Kit is distributed in two vials:

• Vial 1 contains 3 RNA spike-ins (UniSp2, UniSp4 and UniSp5) pre-mixed, each at different concentration in 10-fold increments (see table below). This set of spike-ins is intended as an RNA isolation control.
• Vial 2 contains a synthetic version of cel-miR-39-3p. This miRNA is meant to be used in conjunction with the UniSp6 spike-in provided with the miRCURY LNA RT Kit (denoted "RNA spike-in"). Mixing these RNA templates as described in the kit handbook will result in a 100-fold concentration difference between the RNAs (see table below). This set of spike-ins is intended as a cDNA synthesis control.

Each vial contains RNA sufficient for 50 reactions. Also included is MS2 carrier RNA, which improves the stability of the RNA spike-ins without interfering with downstream reactions.

Choose the spike-in RNAs you prefer

To take full advantage of the RNA Spike-In Kit, you will need to purchase the corresponding LNA primer sets separately, with the exception of UniSp6, which is included in the miRCURY LNA RT Kit. This gives you the flexibility to use only the spike-ins you need without having to pay extra for primer sets you are not going to use.

Compatibility

The RNA Spike-In Kit is compatible with the miRCURY LNA miRNA PCR Assays and Panels.

Analysis and interpretation of data

Quality control of the RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis steps of miRCURY LNA miRNA PCR and miRCURY LNA miRNA Probe PCR experiments