Synthetic Osmolytes for Enhanced RNA Thermotolerance and Extended Plasmid Storage at Room Temperature

Stable formulations for RNA and plasmid DNA are a matter of paramount significance in several fields, ranging from medicine to biotechnology. We have investigated the potential of 15 compounds derived from natural osmolytes to enhance the thermostability and protection of both RNA and plasmid DNA. Our findings demonstrated that several compounds exhibit remarkable effects, enhancing the long-term storage of plasmid DNA at room temperature and the resilience of RNA to high-temperature stress, surpassing the performance of commercial osmolytes. Importantly, we found that one of the compounds enhanced the detection efficacy of a cost-effective RT-PCR test for COVID-19 that we had previously developed. This work offers new possibilities for expanding the capabilities of molecular diagnostic assays and nucleic acid storage methods.