Disclosed herein are methods for purification of
RNA from a sample. The
RNA can be
total RNA or mRNA. The method involves preparing the sample in a solution of
lysis buffer and depositing into a first end of a
lysis straw such that the sample solution flows through the matrix of the
lysis straw and is eluted from the opposite end of the lysis
straw, and depositing the eluted material into a first end of a
solid phase extraction (SPE) straw, such that the deposited solution flows through the matrix of the SPE straw towards the opposite end of the SPE straw, and eluting the
RNA from the SPE straw by depositing a solution of
elution buffer, into the first end of the SPE straw, such that the deposited solution flows through the matrix of the SPE straw and is eluted from the opposite end of the SPE straw, wherein purified RNA from the sample is present in the eluate of the SPE straw. When the RNA is
total RNA, and the sample is a
cell sample, and step b) requires adding a precipitating solution to the eluted material from step a), and depositing the solution into the first end of the SPE straw, wherein the straw comprises silica microspheres, such that the deposited solution flows through the matrix of the SPE straw toward the opposite end of the SPE straw. When the RNA is mRNA and step b) further comprises depositing the solution into the first end of the
solid phase extraction (SPE) straw, wherein the straw comprises oligo-dT. Pressure (e.g., at least 10 psi pressure) and heat (e.g., about 60° C.) can be applied to the samples, and / or eluates and / or straws. Examples of lysis buffers, loading buffers and
elution buffers are provided. Also disclosed are the specific straws and porous
polymer monolith matrix components.