EXTRACTION OF TOTAL RNA AND DNA FROM BACTERIOPLANKTON

The simultaneous extraction of RNA and DNA from water samples for molecular analysis. Applying RNA-based technologies, researchers have the ability to analyze gene-expression or to assess the active fraction of a microbial community. On the other hand, DNA-based methods give insights into general biodiversity, genetic potential or abundant members of whole communities. As a conclusion, to answer many of the questions arising in microbial ecology, it would be beneficial to perform both RNA- and DNA-based analyses on the same environmental sample, thus making it necessary to utilize methods for the simultaneous extraction of both types of nucleic acids.