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Updated: Sep 11, 2025
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Fecal micro RNA Isolation
Published on: October 28, 2020
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Stabilization of human RNA and DNA in stool samples at room temperature
Regina Preywisch1, Roger Løvlie1, Moritz Eidens1
1Mainz Biomed Germany GmbH, Mainz, Germany.
Biotechniques
|August 18, 2025
Summary
Human mRNA and DNA are stable in stool samples for up to 15 days using a new stabilization buffer. This improves noninvasive gastrointestinal disease detection and biomarker discovery.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Stool samples offer a noninvasive method for diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases like colorectal cancer.
- Instability of messenger RNA (mRNA) in stool poses a challenge for accurate diagnostic testing.
- Developing reliable methods for preserving nucleic acids in stool is crucial for advancing diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the stability of human mRNA and DNA in stool samples treated with a specialized stabilizing solution.
- To assess the impact of room temperature storage for 15 days on nucleic acid integrity.
- To enhance storage protocols for more dependable mRNA-based diagnostics and biomarker discovery.
Main Methods:
- Collected 97 stool samples and treated them with a stabilizing solution.
- Stored samples at room temperature, analyzing nucleic acid stability on Day 1 and Day 15.
- Quantified total nucleic acid yields and assessed the stability of three specific mRNA markers: CEACAM5, PTGS2, and CTTN.
Main Results:
- Total nucleic acid yields increased from Day 1 (mean 112 ng/µL) to Day 15 (mean 165 ng/µL) after improved homogenization and lysis.
- Human DNA demonstrated stability throughout the 14-day storage period.
- CEACAM5 and PTGS2 mRNA markers remained stable, while CTTN showed a statistically significant but modest decrease in expression (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- The stabilization buffer effectively preserves both DNA and mRNA in stool samples stored at room temperature for up to 15 days.
- The findings support the use of this stabilization method to improve the reliability of noninvasive gastrointestinal disease diagnostics.
- This research contributes to personalized medicine by enabling more accurate biomarker discovery from stool samples.
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