Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Cryosectioning of Contiguous Regions of a Single Mouse Skeletal Muscle for Gene Expression and Histological Analyses
Published on: December 12, 2016
A melting method for RNA extraction from the mucosal membrane of the mouse middle ear
Young Joon Seo1, Sung Huhn Kim1, In Seok Moon1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Purpose:
There is much confusion surrounding the methods of RNA extraction from the middle ear mucosa of mice. In this study, we worked to develop a "melting method," which is faster, purer, and more reliable than other methods in common use.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty-two ears were used for this study. Light microscopy with hematoxylin-eosin staining of the bullae, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), spectrophotometer analysis, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed before and after melting the half lateral bullae, which were detached from the temporal bone by using a lateral retroauricular approach.
Results:
Each resected half bulla contained a well distributed mucosal membrane. After a TRIzol melting duration of 10-30 minutes, only mucosal marker (MUC5AC) was expressed without bony marker (total osteocalcin). The same results were determined from SEM.
Conclusion:
This melting method, compared with stripping and irrigation methods, is effective and offers an easier, more robust approach to extracting RNA from the middle ear mucosal membranes of mice.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel "melting method" for RNA extraction from mouse middle ear mucosa. This technique is faster, purer, and more reliable than existing methods, simplifying sample preparation.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- RNA extraction from mouse middle ear mucosa is challenging.
- Current methods can be time-consuming and yield impure results.
- Standardization is needed for reliable gene expression studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an improved RNA extraction method for mouse middle ear mucosa.
- To establish a faster, purer, and more reliable technique.
- To address confusion surrounding existing RNA extraction protocols.
Main Methods:
- A novel
- melting method
- using TRIzol was developed.
- Thirty-two mouse ears were utilized.
- Techniques included light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), spectrophotometry, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Main Results:
- The melting method successfully isolated mucosal membranes.
- Mucosal marker (MUC5AC) expression was confirmed, while bony markers were absent.
- SEM analysis corroborated the purity of the mucosal samples.
- Extraction times ranged from 10 to 30 minutes.
Conclusions:
- The melting method is a superior alternative to stripping and irrigation techniques.
- This approach offers a simpler and more robust way to extract RNA.
- It facilitates reliable analysis of middle ear mucosal gene expression in mice.

