In contrary to DNA, RNA is inherently more unstable and prone to heat degradation. Additionally, enzymes that degrade RNA, ribonucleases (RNases), are ubiquitous and hard to remove. For these reasons, obtaining high-quality RNA is very challenging, and an RNase-free environment is essential when handling RNA samples. There are numerous sources of RNases such as skin, dust, reagents, and biological samples. Due to the RNase omnipresence, it is crucial to maintain an RNase-free environment by wearing gloves, using sterile plasticware, DEPC-treated water, high-quality reagents guaranteed to be RNase-free, adequate decontamination techniques, proper RNA storage, and last but not least, an RNase inhibitor. Material degradation can be an obstacle in methods requiring a higher yield of intact RNA, such as RT-PCR, cDNA synthesis, RNA sequencing, in vitro transcription/translation, and RNase-free monoclonal antibody preparation. RNA expression profiles are also frequently used in disease diagnostics, highlighting the need for its proper preservation and stabilization.

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