QIAsprint solution for RNA isolation from tissue and cells

The QIAsprint solution for RNA isolation from tissue and cells is a modular magnetic bead-based system for high throughput RNA and miRNA isolation. The system combines the flexibility of modular design with the power of magnetic-bead–based purification, enabling fully automated processing on the QIAsprint Connect without manual intervention even when gDNA removal is included.

The solution consists of dedicated modules that can be flexibly combined or exchanged depending on sample type and workflow needs. For RNA and miRNA from cells and tissue we recommend the following modules: 

• QIAsprint RNA Tissue/Cells PrepSet (384): Designed for efficient pretreatment of tissue and cell samples, this module includes Buffer RLT for cell lysis and RNA stabilization, and Proteinase K for thorough protein digestion.
• QIAsprint Essential Kit B (384): Provides the magnetic beads and wash buffers required for RNA and miRNA purification. The bead-based technology ensures high yield, reproducibility, and recovery of both total RNA and small RNA species.
• Optional: QIAsprint DNA Removal Set (384): For workflows requiring DNA-free RNA, this module can be seamlessly integrated to ensure complete genomic DNA removal without additional manual handling.

All modules are optimized for fully automated processing of up to 384 samples on the QIAsprint Connect. The platform ensures minimal hands-on time and reproducible performance.

The QIAsprint RNA/miRNA Tissue/Cells workflow delivers RNA yields, including small RNA species, comparable to or higher than those obtained with other leading magnetic bead–based purification systems. This performance is consistent even with challenging sample types, such as fibrous tissues or fatty tissues (see Comparable miRNA recovery). Genomic DNA removal efficiency is likewise on par with or superior to common magnetic bead workflows (see Efficient RNA recovery and gDNA removal). Digital PCR analysis demonstrates higher RNA concentrations in samples processed with the QIAsprint RNA/miRNA Solution (see Higher RNA concentration).

The QIAsprint RNA/miRNA Tissue/Cells workflow uses a modular approach for efficient and flexible RNA purification on the QIAsprint Connect. Sample pretreatment is performed with the QIAsprint RNA Tissue/Cells PrepSet (384), where Buffer RLT ensures RNA stabilization and Proteinase K enables complete lysis of even tough tissue types. The QIAsprint Essential Kit B (384) then provides the magnetic beads and buffers required for the automated bind–wash–elute steps on the QIAsprint Connect. During processing, RNA binds to the magnetic beads, contaminants are efficiently washed away, and high-quality RNA or miRNA are eluted for downstream analysis. For applications requiring DNA-free RNA, the workflow can be seamlessly extended with the QIAsprint DNA Removal Set (384), which enables on-instrument, manual intervention-free genomic DNA digestion prior to final RNA elution. (see modular kit concept; Figure.)

If the workflow needs to be adapted for other sample types or input materials, the flexibility of the QIAsprint modular system allows users to combine the QIAsprint RNA Tissue/Cells PrepSet with other compatible Essential Kits (Link to Essential kit page). For detailed guidance, refer to the Essential Kit page and the QIAsprint Application Wheel. In addition to combining different modules, nearly all buffers and reagents used within the system are available as standalone items, offering additional customization options for specialized workflows (see Accessory Finder).

In the QIAsprint RNA/miRNA Tissue/Cells workflow, samples undergo a straightforward pretreatment and automated purification process. Cell pellets or cultured cells are first homogenized, or tissue samples are disrupted and homogenized in Buffer RLT to ensure immediate RNA stabilization. A Proteinase K master mix is then added, and samples are incubated for 10 minutes at room temperature to achieve complete enzymatic digestion and efficient lysis (see QIAsprint RNA/miRNA Tissue/Cells workflow).

Following incubation, the lysates are transferred to the prep plate and combined with MagG Bead Suspension and isopropanol to enable efficient RNA binding. Wash plates, the optional DNase plate and the elution plate are prepared according to the protocol and placed into the plate hotels. All plates and hotels are then loaded onto the QIAsprint Connect, and the appropriate protocol –either with or without DNase digestion–is selected. The instrument performs fully automated magnetic bead–based bind, wash and elute steps, including on-instrument DNase digestion when the QIAsprint DNA Removal Set (384) is used (see QIAsprint RNA/miRNA Tissue/Cells workflow).

RNA and miRNA purified with the QIAsprint RNA/miRNA Tissue/Cells workflow is highly suitable for RT-PCR, digital PCR (dPCR) or next-generation sequencing (NGS)