5' RACE vs Random Hexamers or both

Question

[Mac]

I am trying to compare RACE and using Random Hexamers approaches

1. What is the best approach for creating cDNA from RNA, 5' RACE vs Random Hexamers or a protocol that uses both?
2. Is it possible not to use gene specific primers when making the cDNA (I want to use gene specific primers when applying the cDNA instead) and lastly,
3. How can I incorporate Primer ID; on cDNA synthesis or amplification if I am using the 5' RACE?

Answer 1

[Devon Ryan]

These aren't really competing technologies, at least in my experience. One typically uses RACE to find the UTR of specific transcripts. One uses random hexamers to amplify everything. So the question isn't so much "which approach is better", but rather "which approach is appropriate for whatever I want to do". You can certainly just make cDNA of one transcript (or gene, depending on how it's spliced), it's just a matter of whether you want to go through the hassle of designing and order the correct primer instead of just using an off the shelf cDNA kit.

[Mac]

Thanks Devon!