Table 1

Comparison of GTC-based versus SGC-based techniques

GTC

SGC

works best either with high (300 mg) or very low (20 mg) amount of tissue, because of phenol-chloroform follows by ethanol precipitation steps and uses of denaturants and RNase inhibitors

works best with low (<100 mg) amount of tissue, because filters may clog resulting in low yield of total RNA

Several chemical treatment steps in protocol may affect RNA quality

Limited steps in protocol may not have influences on RNA intactness

Complex protocol, takes 4 hrs

Simple protocol, takes only 20 min

chemically based aqueous-phase procedure, increased risk of cross contamination

No phase separation step present, low risk of cross contamination

Use of hazardous chemicals like phenol and chloroform requires specific safety rules in the laboratory

Absolutely safe while handling.

less expensive than SGC method

More expensive than GTC method

Muyal et al. Diagnostic Pathology 2009 4:9   doi:10.1186/1746-1596-4-9