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Designed for low-input cell samples Suitable for ≤10⁶ cells according to the current product manual Carrier RNA-assisted trace RNA recovery Selective purification of RNA ≥200 nt No phenol-chloroform extraction Silica column-based RNA purification Purified RNA can be used directly for RT-PCR The Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit is a silica column-based purification system designed for the isolation of total RNA from low-input cultured cell samples.
The kit is particularly designed for samples containing relatively small amounts of cells, where recovery of trace RNA can be challenging.
A specially formulated Carrier RNA is included to assist low-abundance RNA in binding to the purification column, helping improve RNA recovery from low-input samples without interfering with downstream RT-PCR applications.
After RNA binding, two washing steps are used to remove residual PCR inhibitors from the purification column. The purified RNA is then eluted with RNase-free Water and can be used directly for downstream molecular biology applications such as RT-PCR.
The product selectively purifies RNA of ≥200 nt, while RNA smaller than 200 nt is selectively removed according to the product specification.
Key Features
Designed for low-input cell samples
Suitable for ≤10⁶ cells according to the current product manual
Carrier RNA-assisted trace RNA recovery
Selective purification of RNA ≥200 nt
No phenol-chloroform extraction
Silica column-based RNA purification
Purified RNA can be used directly for RT-PCR
20–40 minute RNA extraction workflow
50-prep and 5-prep configurations available
RNA extraction from a small number of cells presents a different challenge from conventional high-input cell RNA purification.
When the starting material contains only a limited amount of RNA, RNA loss during column binding, washing, and elution can have a greater impact on downstream experiments.
The Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit addresses this challenge through the use of Carrier RNA.
Carrier RNA-Assisted RNA Recovery
Carrier RNA is included to help trace amounts of RNA bind efficiently to the purification column.
According to the product documentation, Carrier RNA is designed to improve recovery of low-abundance RNA while not interfering with downstream RT-PCR applications.
This makes the kit particularly relevant for researchers working with:
Low-input cultured cells
Limited cell samples
Small-scale cell experiments
RT-PCR-based molecular biology workflows
Gene expression research requiring RNA from limited starting material
The Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit uses a silica column-based RNA purification workflow.
The basic process is:
Cell Sample → Lysis → RNA Binding → Washing → Drying → Elution
1. Cell Lysis
Cells are lysed using Buffer RLT containing β-mercaptoethanol.
For the standard workflow, Carrier RNA is added during the lysis step when required.
2. RNA Binding
After ethanol addition, the lysate is transferred to the nucleic acid purification column.
RNA binds to the purification membrane.
3. Washing
Two washing solutions are used to remove residual contaminants and PCR inhibitors.
4. Drying
An additional high-speed centrifugation step helps remove residual ethanol before RNA elution.
5. RNA Elution
RNA is eluted using RNase-free Water.
The purified RNA can then be used for downstream molecular biology applications or stored at below −70°C according to the product instructions.
Cell Collection
↓
Cell Lysis with Buffer RLT + Carrier RNA
↓
Ethanol Addition
↓
Silica Column RNA Binding
↓
Buffer WA Wash
↓
Buffer WBR Wash
↓
Dry Spin
↓
RNA Elution
↓
RT-PCR / Downstream Molecular Biology
This workflow can be completed in approximately 20–40 minutes, according to the product information you provided.
The current product manual states that the kit is suitable for isolating total RNA from ≤10⁶ cells. It is designed to purify RNA of ≥200 nt.
An important optimization point is the use of Carrier RNA.
According to the manual:
When the cell input is ≥5 × 10⁴ cells, Carrier RNA does not need to be added.
For lower-input samples, Carrier RNA is incorporated into the workflow to support trace RNA recovery.
The standard workflow is designed for small cultured-cell samples.
Step 1 — Cell Lysis
Collect the cells in a 1.5 mL centrifuge tube and disperse the cell pellet.
Add:
3 μL Carrier RNA
300 μL Buffer RLT containing β-mercaptoethanol
Mix by pipetting approximately 5–10 times until the cells are completely lysed.
For adherent cells grown in a culture plate, the culture medium can be removed and the lysis solution added directly to the cells before transferring the lysate to a 1.5 mL tube.
For suspension cells, the manual specifies centrifugation at 300 × g for 5 minutes before removing the culture medium.
Step 2 — RNA Binding
Add 300 μL 70% ethanol and mix three times by pipetting.
Transfer the mixture to the nucleic acid purification column.
Centrifuge at 12,000 rpm for 30 seconds.
Step 3 — Wash
Add 500 μL Buffer WA and centrifuge at 12,000 rpm for 30 seconds.
Then add 600 μL Buffer WBR and centrifuge at 12,000 rpm for 30 seconds.
Step 4 — Dry Spin
Centrifuge at 14,000 rpm for 1 minute to remove residual ethanol.
If the centrifuge cannot reach 14,000 rpm, the manual specifies using the maximum available speed for 2 minutes.
This step should not be omitted because residual ethanol may affect downstream RT-PCR.
Step 5 — RNA Elution
Transfer the purification column to a new RNase-free 1.5 mL collection tube.
Add 50 μL RNase-free Water to the center of the membrane.
Incubate at room temperature for 1 minute and centrifuge at 12,000 rpm for 30 seconds.
The purified RNA can be used immediately or stored at below −70°C.
Low-Input Cell RNA Extraction and RT-PCR
The supplied experimental example demonstrates the use of the Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit for low-input cultured cells.
RNA was extracted from HeLa cells, with the sample diluted to approximately 10⁵ cells, followed by fluorescence PCR using Human β-actin primers.
The resulting amplification curve demonstrates successful downstream RT-PCR amplification from RNA extracted using the micro-cell RNA extraction workflow.
Suggested figure caption
Figure: RT-PCR performance of RNA extracted from low-input HeLa cells using the Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit.
RNA extracted from HeLa cells using the Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit was evaluated by fluorescence PCR using Human β-actin primers.
Important: The experimental example using 10⁵ HeLa cells should not be interpreted as the formal maximum or minimum input specification. The current product manual states a starting material of ≤10⁶ cells.
Carrier RNA for Low-Abundance RNA Recovery
The addition of Carrier RNA is the key feature of this low-input RNA extraction system.
It helps trace RNA bind to the purification column, supporting RNA recovery when the starting cell number is limited.
No Phenol-Chloroform Extraction
The kit uses a silica-column purification workflow and does not require phenol-chloroform extraction.
This provides a simpler workflow compared with traditional organic extraction methods.
Fast 20–40 Minute Workflow
The complete RNA purification workflow can be completed in approximately 20–40 minutes, making it suitable for routine molecular biology workflows.
RT-PCR Compatible RNA
The purified RNA is eluted with RNase-free Water and can be used directly for downstream RT-PCR according to the product protocol.
The product documentation specifically states that Carrier RNA does not interfere with RT-PCR applications.
Specification | Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit |
Product | Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit |
Application | Total RNA extraction from cultured cells |
Starting Material | ≤10⁶ cells* |
RNA Size | ≥200 nt |
Purification Method | Silica column |
Carrier RNA | Included |
RNA Elution | RNase-free Water |
Workflow Time | Approximately 20–40 minutes |
Phenol-Chloroform Extraction | Not required |
Downstream Application | RT-PCR and molecular biology research |
Cat. No. | 5004005 / 5004050 |
Package | 5 preps / 50 preps |
Intended Use | Research Use Only |
* The current product manual states ≤10⁶ cells. Please confirm this specification before publishing if your final commercial specification is ≤10⁵ cells.
Component | 5 Preps | 50 Preps |
5004005 | 5004050 | |
Nucleic Acid Purification Columns | 5 | 50 |
2 mL Collection Tubes | 5 | 50 |
RNase-free 1.5 mL Collection Tubes | 5 | 50 |
Carrier RNA | 20 μL | 180 μL |
β-Mercaptoethanol | 50 μL | 500 μL |
Buffer RLT | 2 mL | 18 mL |
Buffer WA | 1.9 mL | 12 mL |
Buffer WBR | 1.5 mL | 10 mL |
RNase-free Water | 1.5 mL | 2 mL × 3 |
Instructions | 1 | 1 |
The component quantities above are taken from the supplied product manual.
According to the product manual:
Carrier RNA: Store at −20°C
Other reagents and components: Store at 0–30°C
The manual states that product performance can be maintained without significant change for up to two years under the specified storage conditions.
Before Use
Several preparation steps are required before starting the extraction workflow:
Add β-mercaptoethanol to Buffer RLT.
Add absolute ethanol to Buffer WA according to the bottle label.
Add absolute ethanol to Buffer WBR according to the bottle label.
Maintain RNase-free handling conditions throughout the RNA extraction procedure.
The Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit is suitable for research workflows involving low-input cultured-cell RNA.
Molecular Biology Research
Gene expression studies
RT-PCR
RT-qPCR
RNA-related molecular biology research
Low-input cell experiments
Cell Biology Research
Cultured cell experiments
Limited cell samples
Small-scale cell culture studies
Gene expression analysis from low-input samples
Downstream Applications
RT-PCR
RT-qPCR
cDNA synthesis
Molecular biology research
This product may be relevant to:
Cell biology laboratories
Molecular biology laboratories
Gene expression research laboratories
Academic research laboratories
Biotechnology companies
Pharmaceutical research laboratories
Life science reagent distributors
OEM/private-label reagent customers
For laboratories with limited cell samples, the Carrier RNA-assisted workflow provides a practical approach to improving recovery of low-abundance RNA.
Feature | Conventional RNA Extraction | Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit |
Low-input cell samples | May require optimization | Designed for low-input cells |
Carrier RNA | Not always included | Included |
Silica column purification | Depends on method | Yes |
Phenol-chloroform extraction | May be required | Not required |
RNA ≥200 nt | Depends on method | Yes |
RT-PCR application | Possible | Supported |
Workflow | Method dependent | Approximately 20–40 min |
This comparison describes workflow characteristics and should not be interpreted as a universal performance comparison with every conventional RNA extraction method.
It is designed for isolating total RNA from low-input cultured-cell samples using a silica-column purification workflow.
The current product manual specifies ≤10⁶ cells as the suitable starting material.
Carrier RNA helps trace amounts of RNA bind to the purification column and is intended to improve recovery from low-input samples without interfering with RT-PCR applications.
According to the product manual, when the cell input is ≥5 × 10⁴ cells, Carrier RNA does not need to be added.
The product is designed to purify RNA of ≥200 nt, while RNA smaller than 200 nt is selectively removed.
No. The product uses a silica-column purification workflow and does not require a phenol-chloroform extraction step.
Yes. The product documentation states that purified RNA can be used for RT-PCR and that Carrier RNA does not affect RT-PCR applications.
The product information indicates an approximate 20–40 minute workflow.
Carrier RNA should be stored at −20°C according to the product manual.
Yes. The manual states that purified RNA can be stored at below −70°C when not used immediately.
Forest BioTech provides molecular biology reagent solutions for research laboratories, biotechnology companies, and distributors.
Our RNA extraction portfolio covers different sample types and research workflows, including:
Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit
RNA extraction solutions for other biological samples
Custom/OEM molecular biology reagent solutions
If your laboratory works with low-input cultured cells, the Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit can be evaluated as a dedicated solution for trace RNA recovery and downstream RT-PCR workflows.
Related RNA Extraction Products
Whole Blood Total RNA Extraction Kit
For laboratories working with whole blood, frozen whole blood, or bone marrow samples, see our:
Whole Blood Total RNA Extraction Kit
This product is designed for a different sample type and workflow, including direct RNA extraction from whole blood.
Looking for a low-input RNA extraction kit for cultured cells?
Please send us:
Cell type
Approximate cell number per sample
Number of samples
Downstream application
RT-PCR / RT-qPCR requirements
Country
Monthly or annual demand
OEM/private-label requirements, if applicable
Forest BioTech can provide product information, technical documentation, sample evaluation and OEM/private-label options according to your requirements.
Contact Forest BioTech
Micro Cells Total RNA Extraction Kit — designed for low-input cultured-cell RNA isolation and downstream molecular biology research.
This product is intended for research use only. It is not intended for human or animal treatment or clinical diagnosis.
The supplied manufacturer manual explicitly carries this RUO statement.
