Stabilized Blood-to-CT™ Nucleic Acid Preparation Kit for qPCR, compatible with either PAXgene™ or Tempus™ Blood RNA Tubes - FAQs

查看更多产品信息 Stabilized Blood-to-CT™ Nucleic Acid Preparation Kit for qPCR, compatible with either PAXgene™ or Tempus™ Blood RNA Tubes - FAQs (4449079)

24 个常见问题解答

我正在处理血液样品并使用Tempus收集管。Tempus系统是否兼容RiboPure血液RNA纯化试剂盒?

不兼容,请遵循Tempus系统的RNA分离方法。Tempus收集管与RiboPure试剂盒不兼容。

你们是否有从血液样品中分离RNA的技巧?

请访问我们的网站(https://www.thermofisher.cn/cn/en/home/references/ambion-tech-support/rna-isolation/general-articles/tips-for-working-with-blood-samples.html),查看处理血液样品的技巧。

使用Cells-to-CT试剂盒时是否要关注基因组DNA污染的可能?

Cells-to-CT技术的特色是在裂解培养细胞的同时,能够去除基因组DNA并保护RNA完整性。因此,如果您遵循实验方案中的裂解/DNase处理步骤,则无需担心qRT-PCR中存在基因组DNA污染。

I am doing blood work and using the Tempus collection tubes. Is the Tempus system compatible with the RiboPure-Blood RNA Purification Kit?

No, please follow the RNA isolation methods described with the Tempus system. The collection tubes are not compatible with the RiboPure kit.

Do you have any tips for RNA isolation when working with blood samples?

Please visit our website for tips for working with blood samples.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our RNA Sample Collection, Protection, and Isolation Support Center.

What can I do to improve the sensitivity of my qPCR assay?

If you are targeting a low-abundance gene, you may have trouble getting Ct values in a good, reliable range (Ct > 32). To increase the sensitivity of the assay, you may want to consider the following:

- Increase the amount of RNA input into your reverse transcription reaction, if possible
- Increase the amount of cDNA in your qPCR reaction (20% by volume max)
- Try a different reverse transcription kit, such as our SuperScript VILO Master Mix, for the highest cDNA yield possible
- Consider trying a one-step or Cells-to-CT type workflow (depending on your sample type)

How do I set the baseline for my qPCR experiment?

Most times your instrument software can automatically set a proper baseline for your data. Check out our short video, Understanding Baselines, for more information on how to set them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5BjFAJHW-bE).

How do I set the threshold for my qPCR experiment?

In most cases your instrument software can automatically set a proper threshold for your data. Check out our short video, Understanding Thresholds, for more information on how to set them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=H_xsuRQIM9M).

I am not getting any amplification with my TaqMan Assay or SYBR Green primer set. What is causing this?

There could be several reasons for no amplification from an assay or primer set. Please see these examples and suggested solutions in our Real-Time Troubleshooting Tool (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/pcr/real-time-pcr/qpcr-education/real-time-pcr-troubleshooting-tool/gene-expression-quantitation-troubleshooting/no-amplification.html) for more details.

I am getting amplification in my no-template control (NTC) wells in my qPCR experiment. What is causing this?

There could be several reasons for amplification in a NTC well. Please see these examples and suggested solutions in our Real-Time Troubleshooting Tool (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/pcr/real-time-pcr/qpcr-education/real-time-pcr-troubleshooting-tool/gene-expression-quantitation-troubleshooting/amplification-no-template-control.html) for more details.

My amplification curves have a funny shape in my qPCR experiment. What is causing this?

There are several reasons that amplification could be delayed. Please see the information in our Real-Time Troubleshooting Tool (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/pcr/real-time-pcr/qpcr-education/real-time-pcr-troubleshooting-tool/gene-expression-quantitation-troubleshooting/abnormal-amplification-curves/amplification-occurs-later.html) for more details.

What can I do if the amplification of my target gene is later than expected for my qPCR experiment?

There are several reasons that amplification could be delayed. Please see the information in our Real-Time Troubleshooting Tool for more details (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/pcr/real-time-pcr/qpcr-education/real-time-pcr-troubleshooting-tool/gene-expression-quantitation-troubleshooting/abnormal-amplification-curves/amplification-occurs-later.html).

Can I use my SYBR Green primers for a TaqMan assay?

It may be possible to use your SYBR Green primers for a TaqMan assay, depending on how they were designed. You would have to design a separate probe to use with your existing primers. Please refer to the guidelines in this manual (https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/cms_041902.pdf) on “Manually Designing Primers and Probes” for the next steps. If you have Primer Express Software, you can use that software to design a probe. Please note that restricting the design using the predesigned SYBR primers may not allow for a successful probe design.

Do I have to normalize my samples for comparative Ct experiments?

Comparative Ct experiments use an endogenous control gene to normalize the cDNA input. Please watch this short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jst-3hD_xFQ) for more details on how this works. For a protocol workflow, please refer to our Guide to Performing Relative Quantitation of Gene Expression (https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/cms_042380.pdf).

What are the requirements for a relative quantification qPCR experiment?

In a relative quantification experiment, you will need to identify an endogenous control and a reference (or calibrator) sample. An endogenous control is a gene that does not change in expression across all the samples in your study. A reference sample is the sample that you are comparing all others to. This is often the untreated, or control, sample. Please see our Relative Gene Expression Workflow bulletin (https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/brochures/cms_075428.pdf) for more step-by-step guidelines on how to design your experiment.

What are the requirements for a standard curve qPCR experiment?

In a standard curve experiment, you must generate a standard curve for each target gene. The standards should closely represent the sample (i.e., RNA for RNA input, plasmid or gDNA for DNA input). This reference (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11013345) is a good review of standard curves and the experimental setup. You can also review this short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE5ieko9_RQ) on standard curve experiments.

What is the difference between absolute quantification (AQ) and relative quantification (RQ)? How do I choose which method to use?

Absolute quantification will quantitate unknowns based on a known quantity. It involves the creation of a standard curve from a target of known quantity (i.e., copy number). Unknowns can then be compared to the standard curve and a value can be extrapolated. Absolute quantification is useful for quantitating copy number of a certain target in DNA or RNA samples. The result usually is a number followed by a unit, such as copy number and ng, etc.

Relative quantification can quantitate a fold difference between samples. It involves the comparison of one sample to another sample (calibrator) of significance. For example, in a drug treatment study you could compare a treated to an untreated sample. The quantity of the calibrator is not known and cannot be measured absolutely. Therefore the calibrator (untreated sample) and samples (treated samples) are normalized to an endogenous control (a gene that is consistently expressed among the samples) and then compared to each other to get a fold difference. Relative quantification is useful for quantitating messenger RNA levels. Since the result is a fold change or ratio, it is not followed by a unit.

The method that you choose will depend on the type of data you need from your experiment. You can find more information here (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/pcr/real-time-pcr/qpcr-education/absolute-vs-relative-quantification-for-qpcr.html) as well.

Can I do a melt curve with a TaqMan assay?

No. A TaqMan probe, once cleaved, cannot be re-quenched. Therefore a melt curve does not apply when using a TaqMan assay.

What is the difference between TaqMan and SYBR Green methods of detection?

TaqMan and SYBR Green chemistries are two different methods of detection for qPCR. Please see this detailed comparison of these two approaches (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/pcr/real-time-pcr/qpcr-education/taqman-assays-vs-sybr-green-dye-for-qpcr.html). You can also watch this short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fkUDu042xic) on how TaqMan assays work.

How many replicates do I need to run for my qPCR experiment? What recommendations do you have for plate setup?

Please view this short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIaPGhOjBQo), which explains some best practices for replicates and plate setup.

What are the different phases of a qPCR reaction?

Check out this short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4sXPUbIrh3A) to understand the different phases of the PCR reaction and why they are important.

I'm trying to decide between purchasing a one-step or two-step RT-PCR kit. Can you review the advantages and disadvantages of each?

One-step RT-PCR is convenient, and less prone to contamination as there is less opportunity for pipetting error. This method is also faster than two-step. However, the cDNA cannot be archived, and fewer genes can be analyzed. Two-step RT-PCR gives you the ability to archive cDNA, analyze multiple genes, and gives greater flexibility. This table (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/pcr/real-time-pcr/qpcr-education/1-step-vs-2-step.html) also provides a comparison.

Is gDNA contamination an issue when using the Cells-to-CT kits?

Cells-to-CT technology features a unique method for lysing cultured cells while removing genomic DNA (gDNA) and preserving RNA integrity. Therefore, by following the lysis/DNase treatment steps in the protocol, gDNA contamination will not be an issue for qRT-PCR.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Nucleic Acid Purification and Analysis Support Center.

What is the recommended storage temperature and stability of samples in the Tempus Blood RNA Tube?

Our general recommendations are that once blood has been collected in the Tempus Blood RNA Tubes, you can store the tube at room temperature for up to 5 days or at 4 degrees C for up to 7 days. For long term storage, the tube can be frozen at -80 degrees C for at least 1.5 years.