The correct name of the method is guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction. The use of TRIzol can result in DNA yields comparable to other extraction methods, and it leads to >50% bigger RNA yield. An alternative method for RNA extraction is phenol extraction and TCA/acetone precipitation. Chloroform should be exchanged with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane when using the new generation TRI Reagent.
DNA and RNA from TRIzol and TRI reagent can also be extracted using the Direct-zol Miniprep kit by Zymo Research. This method eliminates the use of Chloroform and 1-bromo-3-chloropropane completely, bypassing phase-separation and precipitation steps.
TRIzol is light-sensitive and is often stored in a dark-colored, glass container covered in foil. It is stored at room temperature.
When used, it resembles cough syrup, bright pink. The smell of the phenol is extremely strong. TRIzol works by maintaining RNA integrity during tissue homogenization, while at the same time disrupting and breaking down cells and cell components.