PAXgene Blood RNA Kit (50), CE

An in vitro diagnostic kit from QIAGEN for the purification of intracellular RNA from whole blood. When coupled with the PAXgene Blood RNA Tube (IVD), it forms the PAXgene Blood RNA System, which the manufacturer describes as the first diagnostic product optimized for isolation of intracellular RNA from whole blood in PAXgene Blood RNA Tubes. The system is intended for the collection, storage and transport of blood, stabilization of intracellular RNA in a closed tube, and subsequent isolation and purification of host RNA from whole blood for RT-PCR in molecular diagnostic testing. The kit carries a CE marking.

Built on silica-membrane technology in spin-column format, the kit processes 2.5 ml whole-blood samples and delivers an 80 µl (2 x 40 µl) elution volume. An integrated DNase I treatment removes trace genomic DNA. Purification can be performed manually by centrifugation in 90 min per 12 samples, or automated on the QIAcube Connect MDx in 151 min per 12 samples, with approximately 20 minutes of hands-on time.

Performance figures: RNA yields of ≥3 µg per 2.5 ml sample in ≥95% of samples processed; typical yields from 2.5 ml human whole blood range from 4 to 20 µg (donor-dependent). A260/A280 values of 1.8–2.2 and ≤1.0% (w/w) genomic DNA in ≥95% of samples processed. At least 95% of samples show no inhibition in RT-PCR when eluate accounts for up to 30% of the reaction. Performance characteristics have only been established with FOS and IL1B gene transcripts.