Methods and reagents for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction

1. A method of amplifying an RNA molecule in a biological sample by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), wherein the RT-PCR is carried out in a solution comprising:

a. a polar aprotic solvent;

b. a serum albumin; and

c. a non-ionic surfactant and/or a betaine;

wherein the solution comprises-

(a) the polar aprotic solvent at a concentration in the range 0.05 to 10% (v/v), the serum albumin at a concentration in the range 0.05 to 1.2% (w/v), the non-ionic surfactant at a concentration in the range 0.05 to 1% (v/v), and the betaine at a concentration in the range 0.05 to 2M; or

(b) the polar aprotic solvent at a concentration in the range 0.05 to 10% (v/v), the serum albumin at a concentration in the range 0.05 to 1.2% (w/v), and the betaine at a concentration in the range 0.05 to 2M.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the solution comprises:

a. a polar aprotic solvent;

b. a serum albumin;

c. a non-ionic surfactant; and

d. a betaine.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the non-ionic surfactant is Triton X-100, Brij 56 or Brij 58.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the polar aprotic solvent is DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide).

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the serum albumin is bovine serum albumin (BSA).

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the betaine is N,N,N-trimethylglycine.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the solution further comprises:

a. a reverse transcriptase;

b. a DNA polymerase;

c. a deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP); and

d. at least one primer.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the biological sample has not undergone treatment with a DNase prior to the RT-PCR reaction.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the biological sample has not undergone an RNA purification step prior to the RT-PCR reaction.

10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising subjecting the biological sample to a lysis step and a detergent neutralization step prior to contacting the biological sample with the solution.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the lysis step is performed by contacting the biological sample with a detergent, and the detergent neutralization step is performed by contacting the sample with a cyclodextran.

12. The method of according to claim 1 , wherein the biological sample comprises a cellular sample selected from the group consisting of blood, serum, semen, cerebral spinal fluid, synovial fluid, lymphatic fluid, saliva, buccal, cervical cell, vaginal cell, urine, faeces, hair, skin, muscle, and cells grown in culture.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the biological sample is derived from a virus, a eukaryotic organism or a prokaryotic organism.

14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the biological sample is a blood sample, optionally where the blood has been treated with an anti-coagulant.

15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the RNA is immobilized on a solid support and the solid support is contacted with the solution.

16. The method according to claim 15 , comprising:

i) contacting a solid support with a biological sample containing the RNA;

ii) transferring the solid support, or a portion thereof, to a reaction vessel optionally after a washing step; and

iii) performing the RT-PCR reaction in the reaction vessel in the solution in the presence of the solid support.

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the solid support:

(a) is fibrous, optionally comprising a cellulose fiber material or a glass fiber or glass microfiber material; or

(b) comprises a porous polymer, optionally a porous membrane material; or

(c) comprises aluminium oxide.

18. The method according to claim 15 , wherein a lysis reagent is embedded on the solid support.

19. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the solid support is impregnated with one or more of (i) a weak base; (ii) a chelating agent; (iii) an anionic surfactant and (iv) a chaotropic agent.

20. A method of amplifying an RNA molecule comprising the steps:

i) incubating the RNA molecule and a dried reagent composition in a solution, wherein the dried reagent composition comprises a sequestering reagent; a polymerase; a deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP); a serum albumin; a betaine; and optionally a polar aprotic solvent and/or a non-ionic surfactant; and

ii) performing a reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) reaction.

21. The method according to claim 20 , wherein the solution comprises DMSO that is not derived from the dried reagent composition.

22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein the dried composition does not comprise DMSO.

23. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the detergent is sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS).

24. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the solid support comprises the porous membrane material, and the porous membrane material is selected from polyester, polyether sulfone (PES), polyamide (Nylon), polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polycarbonate, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, alignate, or a combination thereof.

25. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the chaotropic agent is guanidium thiocyanate.