Patent ID: 8071301

Claim:
A method of processing a biological sample, comprising the steps of: (a) combining said biological sample with a pH buffer and a detergent, whereby there is created a first liquid composition having a first pH; (b) mixing with said first liquid composition an alkaline composition, whereby there is created a second liquid composition having a second pH, wherein said second pH is at least 0.2 pH units higher than said first pH, wherein said second pH is lower than pH 9.5, wherein said alkaline composition is a concentrated hydroxide solution that comprises, in aqueous solution, a strong base at 0.1 N concentration, and wherein RNA that may be present in said biological sample is hydrolyzed if said alkaline composition is combined with said biological sample in the absence of added pH buffer; and (c) purifying nucleic acids, comprising RNA, from said second liquid composition.