Can I freeze RNA that is atteched to a column?

[saracanada]

Hi everyone,

I have a strange question. I was extracting RNA using Qiamp minikit and at the last step I found out that there was no elution buffer left. So as I had a number of samples, I decided to freeze the columns to which RNA was bound.
Would that be possible to thaw the columns the next day and elute RNA?

Thanks,

[biohazard]

Hehe, the mental image of that situation made me smile :P

Well, RNA is pretty unstable and I am quite certain the recovery is far from optimal after a freeze-thaw cycle, but I guess nothing prevents you from trying (remember to tell us what was the outcome!)

If it was DNA, I think you might be able to do that without much problems.

One option, though somewhat bizarre, would be to fill your columns with some RNA preservation solution that helps to keep RNA strands intact during freezing and thawing before freezing the columns - in case you had some in your lab when running out of elution buffer. I think Qiagen is one of the companies that produces those!

[JackBean]

by column you probably mean the spin-filters, right? So they cannot be stored in liquid, right?

[saracanada]

Yes spin-filters, and I assume they can be stored in liquid? not sure...

[saracanada]

Just to let you know, the recovery was slightly lower but amazing that it worked!

[biohazard]

Cool, thanks for letting us know :)

Btw, did you freeze them with some cryopreservant / RNAse inhibitor, or just as they were?

[JackBean]

so you left some liquid (buffer?) on top of them?

[saracanada]

No problem!
I didn't leave anything on them! had just frozen the columns! ( too in rush to put solution on)