Biopolym. Cell. 2025; 41(1):3-12.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7124/bc.000B11
Reviews
Aspects of gene expression analysis in small–volume blood samples using the real–time PCR
1, 2Hlazunova O. D., 1Melnichuk N. S.
  1. Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine
    150, Akademika Zabolotnoho Str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03143
  2. Educational and Scientific Center "Institute of Biology and Medicine" of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
    2, Akademika Hlushkova Ave., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03022

Abstract

Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood leukocytes is a valuable method for assessing disease–associated and drug–response related genes. Small–volume blood samples can be used for gene expression analysis in biomarker discovery, pre–clinical animal research for drug development, neonatal and pediatric studies, and therapeutic drug monitoring. However, the reduced RNA quantity and handling procedures of small–volume samples complicate gene expression analysis using real–time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In this article, we systematize and compare RNA isolation and molecular genetic techniques to identify optimized strategies for gene expression analysis of small–volume blood samples and discuss gene expression studies in capillary blood samples.
Keywords: small–volume blood sample, RT–qPCR, gene expression, capillary blood
Full text: (PDF, in English)

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