Can substances in urine interfere with the nanopore analysis?

The urine matrix contains numerous substances (creatinine, urea, glucose, proteins, cells, bacteria in UTI) that could potentially interfere with miRNA extraction and nanopore analysis. The RNA extraction protocol used by Yenos is designed to separate miRNA from these interfering substances. The osmium tagging chemistry is specific to nucleic acids and is not affected by most small-molecule urinary constituents. The internal control miRNA (miR-15b-5p) serves as a real-time detector of any matrix interference — if a urinary substance were significantly degrading the extraction or the nanopore signal, the internal control would be out of range and the sample would be flagged. For this reason, we recommend collecting a mid-stream sample (not first morning urine) to minimize contamination from urethral flora and debris.