Figure 1.

RNA from cells scraped from the cervix demonstrates variable degrees of degradation regardless of collection method. Cells scraped from the cervix were collected directly into Trizol (lanes 1 and 2), into DME (lanes 3 and 4) or into 95% ethanol (lanes 5 and 6) and immediately snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. RNA was extracted with Trizol and analyzed by Agilent biosizing gel electrophoresis. RNA quantity was calculated from the absorbance at 260 nm, and 1 μl (approx 100 ng) was loaded per lane. Ribosomal RNA was used as the molecular weight maker (lane 0); positions of 28S and 18S rRNA are indicated on the left. Arrow (right) indicates 200 bp.