An effective, rapid and simple method for total RNA extraction from bacteria and yeast

In this work, we describe a rapid and simple method for total RNA extractio n from bacteria and yeast. The method allows for the acquirement of high RN A yields while avoiding the use of phenol or other toxic reagents and is le ss expensive than other methods previously described. The extracted RNA is suitable for applications such as RT-PCR, Northern blot hybridization and l ow molecular weight RNA (LMW RNA) electrophoresis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.