PowerProtect DNA/RNA

• Preserves bacterial DNA and RNA in stool samples after collection
• Penetrates cells and halts biological activity
• Maintains the microbial community and functional profile during transport and storage
• Nucleic acid stabilization in room temperature or frozen for an extended period
• Stabilization for shorter duration at 35°C

It is important to preserve your stool samples shortly after collection, to maintain the integrity of your nucleic acids. When you quickly stabilize your sample, you can be sure to get results that reflect the most accurate picture of the microbiome as it exists within the organism, at the time the sample was collected. Deep freezing samples is a common stabilization solution, but it entails significant issues during storage and transport. With PowerProtect DNA/RNA you can stabilize your nucleic acids from stool at 4°C to 25°C and even at 35°C for a short time, thus simplifying your logistics.

For a complete stabilization, storage and extraction solution, use PowerProtect DNA/RNA with diverse kits from the QIAGEN Power Pro kit line, intended for use with stool samples.

With the PowerProtect DNA/RNA for stabilization, we provide a comprehensive solution, from collection to extraction (see figures  Sample stabilization workflow). PowerProtect DNA/RNA allows for higher yields of RNA isolation (see figure  RNA yield at room temperature) and DNA extraction (see figure  DNA yield at 35°C).

PowerProtect DNA/RNA preserves bacterial DNA and RNA in stool samples at temperatures between 4°C and 25°C. The reagent penetrates cells and halts biological activity, keeping the microbial information content intact, therefore maintaining the microbial community and functional profile in the sample after it is collected and during transport and storage, until the nucleic acids can be extracted and analyzed.

PowerProtect DNA/RNA preserves DNA indefinitely and RNA for at least two months, as long as the sample is kept at temperatures between 4°C and 25°C.

At higher temperature, PowerProtect DNA/RNA will stabilize nucleic acids in a sample for a short time. At 35°C DNA can be preserved for 14 days and RNA for three days
The long- term stability in ambient temperatures combined with short-term stability at higher temperatures, allows for simplified storage and transportation logistics, as there is no need for ice or dry ice.

For long term storage over years, the sample stabilized in PowerProtect DNA/RNA should be kept at 2-8°C or frozen at –30°C to –15°C or –90° to –65°C.

After sample collection, the stabilization should be carried out as quickly as possible in order to preserve the microbial profile. To stabilize and protect bacterial DNA and RNA in stool samples submerge the material completely in a sufficient volume of PowerProtect DNA/RNA. Use at least 4 volumes of reagent per sample (or approximately 2 ml reagent per 500 mg stool). We recommend using up to 9 volumes of reagent for dry stool samples. Make sure the stabilized sample is stored in a container that is suitable for centrifugation, and which is large enough to also contain the volume of the PBS that will be added after storage, before proceeding with the nucleic acid extraction.

Nucleic acids from stool samples stabilized with PowerProtect DNA/RNA can be used for various applications, depending on the extraction. The DNA can be used immediately in PCR analysis and other downstream applications, including qPCR and NGS. The RNA can be used in downstream applications including RT-PCR, qPCR, digital PCR and next-generation sequencing (e.g., RNA-seq or metatranscriptome).