5. Sample Preparation

Depending on the sample amount, either total RNA or isolated cells/tissue microsamples (i.e., DirectCell Protocol) can be used as input for the DriverMap EXP assay. No preliminary poly(A) selection or ribosomal/mitochondrial/globin RNA depletion is required:

• For bulk tissue, blood, or cell samples with more than ~10,000 cells, follow the recommendations of the General RNA Preparation Protocol below (Section 5.1).
  

• For biological samples with a small number of cells—less than ~10,000 cells (e.g., sorted immune cell fractions or cells grown in 96-well plates), or tissue microsamples—we recommend using the cells directly as input. Follow the guidelines in the DirectCell Protocol below (Section 5.2).