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Name: D. B.
Status: Student
Grade:  6-8
Location: N/A
Country: United States
Date: March 2006
Question:
There are many sites on DNA extraction, and I believe that they are actually nucleic acid extraction because both RNA and DNA are extracted right? But then I heard that not much of RNA would appear, because its enzymes cut RNA. I don't understand, why would RNA be cut when there was nothing that cuts RNA? (like RNases..)


Replies:
To purify DNA, highly purified (DNase free) RNase can be added to the nucleic preparation which will degrade the RNA leaving only DNA. To purify RNA, highly purified (RNase free) DNase can be added to the nuclleic acid preparation which will degrade the DNA leaving only RNA.

Ron Baker, Ph.D.


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