Stool RT-PCR

[Dale Yuzuki's Work Account]

We are interested in doing RT-PCR on stool samples; a litereture
search revealed a few papers of DNA PCR to detect ras mutations
from stool, but nothing about RT-PCR.

I must assume that if intact DNA can be detected in stools then
it probably came from an intact cell - specifically we are looking
for shed colon carcinoma cells that presumably aren't lying around
in the colon for more than a few hours, and detecting cancer 
marker RNA.

Has anyone out there tried this before? Or is the dearth of papers
in this area due to the fact that few people want to try doing
PCR on stools, or rather that it simply doesn't work very 
effiently?

Any input would be welcome. If this can be made to work it would
be a powerful tool for early detection rather than the current
dependance on stool occult blood testing. Thanks in advance.

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= Dale Yuzuki = John Wayne Cancer Inst. = dale at jwci.org = (310) 449-5267=
=  `Remember, a closed mouth gathers no foot.' - Steve Post             =
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