QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (250)

From QIAGEN, this kit is designed to isolate viral RNA — including SARS-CoV-2 — from cell-free body fluids using silica-membrane spin columns. A 140 µl sample is processed manually by centrifugation or vacuum in 20–40 minutes per prep, with no phenol–chloroform extraction or alcohol precipitation. Pure viral RNA is eluted in 50 µl of water or the buffer provided, and the workflow is also automatable on the QIAcube Connect.

Viral RNA binds specifically to the QIAamp silica membrane while PCR inhibitors such as divalent cations and proteins are removed in two efficient wash steps, delivering >90% recovery of RNA suitable for RT-PCR, qPCR and real-time PCR. Samples are lysed under highly denaturing conditions to inactivate RNases. The kit supports viral RNA isolation from respiratory samples and from plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, other cell-free body fluids, and cell-culture supernatants.