Sanger Tree of Life Sample Homogenisation: PowerMash v1

This protocol describes the homogenisation of tissue samples for DNA and/or RNA extraction intended for long read sequencing or RNA-Seq, using the Diagnocine PowerMasher II tissue disruptor. This process is highly effective for the disruption of tissue samples weighing less than 25 mg from all taxonomic groups covered by the Tree of Life Programme except for plants, fungi, protists, sponges and corals. Larger samples are not processed through this method due to difficulties in achieving homogenisation. Crustaceans and molluscs are particularly challenging samples. The output of this protocol is a sample that can be directed toward any of the Sanger Tree of Life DNA and RNA extraction protocols.