RNA quality measurement

Agilent has introduced what it claims is the first tool to measure RNA quality and grade it on a quantitative scale of 1 to 10.

This measurement, known as the RNA integrity number, makes it possible for scientists to measure and communicate the quality of RNA used in experiments.

Until now, scientists have been unable to reliably compare the quality of RNA - a genetic molecule used extensively in biological research - between experiments or across laboratories.

This limitation has inhibited the reproducibility of microarray-based gene expression experiments and real-time polymerase chain reaction experiments, both of which are popular in cancer and cardiovascular research.

It has also hindered the industry's ability to submit verifiable data from such experiments for FDA review and to apply these technologies to clinical studies, therapeutic development and diagnostic development.

Researchers deposit their total RNA sample into an RNA Nano LabChip. The chip is inserted into the bioanalyser, which runs the analysis and generates a digital electropherogram.

The RIN algorithm then analyses the entire electrophoretic trace of the RNA sample, including the presence or absence of degradation products, to determine sample integrity.

It assigns a 1 to 10 RIN score, where level 10 RNA is completely intact. Because interpretation of the electropherogram is automatic and not subject to individual interpretation, universal and unbiased comparison of samples is enabled and repeatability of experiments is improved.