A researcher needs to prepare RNA for Northern blot analysis. Initial experiments using total RNA produce no
signal when the experiment is completed. A method to increase the sensitivity of the assay would be to do which
of the following to the total RNA sample?
(A) Separate by size on agarose gel electrophoresis
(B)Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
(C) Run the RNA through an oligo-dA affinity column
(D)Separate by size on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
The correct answer is:
(B) Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Explanation:
- Northern blot analysis is used to detect specific mRNA in a sample.
- Total RNA includes a large amount of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA), which can mask the signal from the target mRNA.
- Oligo-dT affinity columns selectively bind polyadenylated (poly-A) mRNA, helping to enrich mRNA and improve sensitivity.
- This reduces background noise and enhances detection of the target mRNA.
Why Not the Other Options?
- (A) Separate by size on agarose gel electrophoresis →
- This helps visualize RNA integrity but does not increase sensitivity.
- (C) Run the RNA through an oligo-dA affinity column →
- Oligo-dA does not bind poly-A mRNA; oligo-dT does.
- (D) Separate by size on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis →
- Polyacrylamide gels are used for small RNAs, like tRNA and miRNA, but are not standard for mRNA Northern blots.
Conclusion:
Using an oligo-dT column enriches mRNA and improves the sensitivity of Northern blotting, making option (B) correct.
60 Comments
Akshay mahawar
February 25, 2025Done👍
Suman bhakar
February 26, 2025Done
Pooja jat
February 27, 2025Question not understood properly..,but via; solution nd video i got clear confusion.
Mahima Sharma
August 24, 2025Run the rna through oligodt
Arushi
February 26, 2025☑️👍
Parul
February 27, 2025Understood through explanation n video. Done sir
Lavanya Sharma
February 27, 2025✅👍🏻
Prami Masih
February 27, 2025Done sir
yogesh sharma
February 28, 2025Done sir
Shreeji
March 1, 2025Nice explanation sir
Lokesh kumawat
March 1, 2025Done
Nisha
March 1, 2025Great for both beginner and experienced learners
Ashwini shekhawat
March 2, 2025👍👍
Arushi
March 3, 2025👍👍
Abhilasha
March 7, 2025Done
VIKRAM GAHLOT
March 7, 2025👍
Anita choudhary
April 18, 2025I was not able to understand the answer but after watching the video solution I understood it well 👍
shruti sharma
August 14, 2025read it sir
Aafreen
August 14, 2025Understood by video explanation ✅
Dipti Sharma
August 14, 2025(B) Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Manisha gujar
August 14, 2025Explanation video is very helpful
Neelam Sharma
August 14, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Priti khandal
August 14, 2025video se explanation samajh mein aa gya sir
Priya khandal
August 14, 2025Video dekha ha sir
Manisha choudhary
August 17, 2025Gel electrophoresis techniques rna integrity ko visualise krne m use hoti h sensitivity increase nhi krti h
PAGE protein and small DNA fragments and small rna like mi rna ,t rna ko separate krta h
so correct answer is run the rna through an oligo dt affinity column
Kajal
August 17, 2025Option B is right
Run RNA through the oligo – dT column
Shrddha Modi
August 17, 2025Run are any through oligoDT (tttttttt) coloum because it makes complimentary combination with mrna 3end with analin (aaaaaa)
Priyanka Choudhary
August 24, 2025Option b is right answer,Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Varsha Tatla
August 19, 2025Clear
Bhavana Kankhedia
August 24, 2025run RNA through the oligo-dT column
karishma don
August 24, 2025run on oligo dt column because a rna has poly A tail at 3′ end and the column has T bp complementary to A
Bharti Yadav
August 24, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Payal Gaur
August 24, 2025Run the RNA through oligo -dT affinity column
Urmi sisodiya
August 24, 2025Oligo dt nucleotide binds mrna and result in increase in sensitivity
Meenakshi Choudhary
August 24, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Sonam Saini
August 24, 2025Right opetion b
Alec
August 24, 2025option b – by running the Rna through the oligo – dT affinity column.
Priya dhakad
August 24, 2025Using an oligo-dT column enriches mRNA and improves the sensitivity of Northern blotting.
Anjali
August 24, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column so answer is b
Falguni Prakash
August 24, 2025Option B it improves sensitivity
Sakshi
August 24, 2025Run Rna through Oligo DT affinity column is correct
Vijay kumar Meena
August 24, 2025B ✔️ 👍
Devika
August 25, 2025Run the rna through oligo dt affinity column
Kashish yadav
August 25, 2025Option b
sakshi khatri
August 25, 2025b is correct
Ayush Dubey
August 25, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Monika meena
August 27, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo dt affinity column
Pratibha Jain
August 30, 2025Correct answer is option (b)
Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Sheikh Aleen
August 30, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Anisha Beniwal
August 30, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
anjani sharma
August 30, 2025Answer b
Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Akshita Jangid
August 31, 2025By running the Rna through the oligo – dT affinity column
Shobha Kanwar
August 31, 2025Option B is right bcoz Run RNA through the oligo – dT column
Asha Gurzzar
August 31, 2025B is correct,run the rna through oligo dt affinity column
Komal Sharma
September 1, 2025Using an oligo-dT column enriches mRNA and improves the sensitivity of Northern blotting,
Anisha jakhar
September 3, 2025(B) Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Muskan Yadav
September 3, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Somya Yadav
September 5, 2025Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column
Ajay Sharma
September 6, 2025Will run the rna through an oligo dt affinity Column
dA column will not bind and age and page just seperate and improve the resolution not sensitivity and still page won’t work for large sized rna
Aakansha sharma Sharma
October 1, 2025The correct answer is:
(B) Run the RNA through an oligo-dT affinity column