- Suite A2, 801 Southwest 89th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73139
Water is an important component in biological research, but not all lab water is created equal. When working on delicate RNA experiments, the type of water chosen is crucial. With every sensitive experiment, researchers have an eternal debate. Should scientists work on RNA experiments with DEPC water or autoclaved water? Which one is the best for your research?
What Is DEPC Water?
DEPC water is the best water for use in RNA experiments. This type of water is treated with DEPC, which is a chemical that inactivates the activity of RNases-enzymes that degrade RNA swiftly. Thus, DEPC water is essential in RNA isolation, reverse transcription, and PCR applications.
How Does DEPC Water Works?
DEPC is a strong RNase inhibitor; it ensures that any residual RNase present in the water is removed. The process involves:
- Adding DEPC to distilled water.
- Incubating the solution for a few hours.
- Autoclaving the solution to remove any residual DEPC.
This process results in RNase-free water, the highest standard for RNA lab work.
What Is Autoclaved Water?
Autoclaving is a popular sterilization method used in laboratories. Autoclaved water is merely distilled or deionized water that has been passed through high-pressure steam at 121 degrees celsius to remove microbial contamination. However, RNA-based enzymes are not removed with autoclaving alone, unlike in DEPC-treated water.
Does Autoclaving Remove RNases?
Autoclave effectively kills bacteria, fungi, and even viruses, but it fails to thoroughly deactivate RNase. RNases are highly stable enzymes that can withstand high temperatures, making autoclaved water unsuitable for RNA-sensitive experiments.
Differences Between DEPC Water and Autoclaved Water
Deactivates RNase
- DEPC water is treated specifically to remove and deactivate RNases.
- While autoclaved water removes most contaminants, it may still contain active RNases.
Applications in Molecular Biology
- DEPC-treated water is essential for RNA experiments like RT-PCR and cDNA synthesis.
- Autoclaved water is best used for general lab needs like D-PBS and other non-RNA solutions.
Residual Effects
- DEPC-treated water must be autoclaved to remove DEPC residues because these act as the inhibitors for most enzymatic reactions.
- Autoclaved water can be used immediately after the process of sterilization.
Safety and Handling
- DEPC water is toxic before autoclaving because of the presence of DEPC particles and requires careful handling.
- Autoclaved water is safe and requires no additional precautions.
When to Use DEPC Water
If you work with RNA, the DEPC-treated water is non-negotiable. Whether RNA isolation, RT-PCR, or the storage of an RNA-based solution, DEPC water guarantees that your samples remain intact and contamination-free.
When to Use Autoclaved Water
Autoclaved water is of the type for all general laboratory purposes, such as preparing media or general buffer solutions. It is sterile but is not meant for RNA protection.
Choose Wisely for Your Research
While autoclaved water is a reliable choice for many lab procedures, DEPC water is indispensable for RNA-related experiments. Using the wrong type of water would risk sample degradation; yield failed experiments, or the generation of inaccurate results.
Get High-Quality DEPC Water from Purma Biologics
Purma Biologics LLC is the best source for premium DEPC-treated water and high-purity laboratory reagents, allowing the flexibility to build their high-end solutions to supply RNase-free water, meeting your requirements for crucial molecular biology procedures. Take your research to a new level with Purma Biologics today!
