Co-extraction of RNA and DNA from animal tissue v1

This protocol describes how to co-extract RNA and DNA from animal tissue samples. Samples are homogenized and simultaneously lyzed by bead-beating. Cell debris is pelleted by centrifugation, the DNA is then subsequently bound to a silica column, while the RNA passes the membrane. The RNA in the flow-through is then precipitated with 70% ethanol and bound to a second silica column. Both, DNA and RNA are washed with different wash buffers to remove remaining proteins and other contaminants and finally eluted in separate tubes. If the user is just interested in the RNA, the DNA spin-column can just be discarded.