A protocol for extraction of total RNA from finger stick whole blood samples preserved with Tempus TM solution [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]

Monitoring of blood transcriptional changes during disease or treatment could improve the understanding of cellular mechanisms associated with that particular condition. This can be achieved through serial sampling of small blood volumes. However, molecular analysis of gene expression from low volume samples remains a challenging task. To address this issue, we have developed a set of standard operating procedures (SOP), starting from collection of small volume blood to measurement of gene expression. Previously we published an SOP for the collection of a small volume of blood via finger stick and stabilization of RNA. The aim of this manuscript is to share a modified Tempus TM solution based RNA extraction method, developed in our lab, for the extraction of total RNA from low volume whole blood samples collected via finger stick.