RNA Methodologies

Dr. Robert Farrell is a bench-current scientist who has 35 years of experience working with RNA in the study of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in a variety of model systems. He is also experienced in animal cell culture methods. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State University, he operated a biotech education and service firm, winning the 1998 Small Business Contractor of the Year award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He is the recipient of campus- and college-wide awards for excellence in teaching, and has extensive experience running RNA and specialized biotechnology hands-on laboratory training programs all over the world. He often serves as a consultant within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Dr. Farrell received his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from The Catholic University of America and his B.S. in Biology from Providence College. Dr. Farrell currently serves as the campus academic officer at Penn State York.

1. RNA and the Cellular Biochemistry Revisited2. Creating a Ribonuclease-free Environment3. RNA Isolation Strategies4. The Truth about Tissues5. Going Green: RNA and the Molecular Biology of Plants6. Quality Control for RNA Preparations7. cDNA: A Permanent Biochemical Record of the Cell8. RT-PCR: A Science and an Art Form9. Quantitative PCR Techniques10. miRNA11. RNA Interference - Take a RISC: Role the Dicer12. Stringency: Conditions that Influence Nucleic Acid Structure13. Electrophoresis of RNA14. Photodocumentation and Image Analysis15. Northern Analysis16. Nucleic Acid Probe Technology17. Isolation of Polyadenylated RNA18. Quantification of Specific mRNAs by Nuclease Protection19. Analysis of Nuclear RNA20. Non-Array Methods for Global Analysis of Gene Expression21. Genomes, Transcriptomes, Proteomes, and Bioinformatics22. RNA Biomarker Development23. High-Throughput Analysis of Gene Expression24: Functional Genomics and Transcript Profiling25. A Few RNA Success Stories

AppendixA. Maintaining Complete and Accurate RecordsB. Converting Mass to MolesC. Disposal of Ethidium Bromide and SYBR Green SolutionsD. DNase I Removal of DNA from an RNA SampleE. RNase Incubation to Remove RNA from a DNA SampleF. Useful Stock Solutions for the Molecular BiologistG. Silanizing Centrifuge Tubes and GlasswareH. Dot Blot AnalysisI. Electrophoresis: Principles, Parameters, and SafetyJ. Polyacrylamide Gel ElectrophoresisK. Centrifugation as a Mainstream Tool for the Molecular BiologistL. Trypsinization Protocol for Anchorage-Dependent CellsM. Isolation of High-Molecular-Weight DNA by Salting-OutN. Phenol PreparationO. Deionization of Formamide, Formaldehyde, and GlyoxalP. Selected Suppliers of Equipment, Reagents, and ServicesQ. Useful SI UnitsR. Common AbbreviationsS. Trademark Citations