Natural Science Forum / Biology / Botany / April 2004

Dave,
I cannot speak for RNA yield, but my experience with liquid N2-frozen
leaf tissue stored for a number of weeks, then lyophilized, gives good
enzyme activity, reflective of direct extractions from fresh tissue.

John Silvius
Professor of Biology
Cedarville University

AM >>>

I know this is not exactly a "Plant Education" question (except that
it
involves student research).....but does anyone know whether we can
store
plant tissue (by quick-freezing it in liquid nitrogen, and then
storing
it at -80C) and still get a good yield of mRNA?
=20
I have heard stories that it is far better to work with fresh tissue,
but wondering if I can "get by" storing it like this for awhile.
=20
Thanks for any advice!=20

Dave Robinson
Biology Department
Bellarmine University
2001 Newburg Road
Louisville, KY  40205

502-452-8197
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I have used the method you described and it worked well. After removing
the frozen tissue from the freezer, I used to grind the tissue to a
powder in a mortar cooled with liquid nitrogen. Before the powder thaws,
add extraction buffer and resuspend the powder.

Rich Glick

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