Automated cell disruption is a reliable and effective method of isolating RNA from fresh snap-frozen normal and malignant oral mucosa samples

Abstract

Abstract: This study compared automated vs. manual tissue grinding in terms of RNA yield obtained from oral mucosa biopsies.: A total of 20 patients undergoing uvulectomy for sleep-related disorders and 10 patients undergoing biopsy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in the study. Samples were collected, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and divided into two parts of similar weight. Sample grinding was performed on one sample from each pair, either manually or using an automated cell disruptor. The performance and efficacy of each homogenization approach was compared in terms of total RNA yield (spectrophotometry, fluorometry), mRNA quantity [densitometry of specific: Although spectrophotometry and fluorometry results were comparable for both homogenization methods,: Automated tissue homogenization appears to be a versatile, quick, and reliable method of cell disruption and is especially useful in the case of small malignant samples, which show unreliable results when processed by manual homogenization.Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:294–301.