This instrument uses fluorescence-based dyes that bind specifically to DNA, RNA or protein to quantify samples at low concentration. The Qubit can accurately measure concentrations as low as 10 pg/μL for DNA and 250pg/ul for RNA. Because the Nanodrop uses UV absorbance to measure DNA/RNA concentration (A260), it cannot discriminate DNA and RNA. So if there is genomic DNA contamination in your RNA samples, it will contribute to the RNA concentration estimate.
Request Form: https://www.uoguelph.ca/aac/facilities/genomics/documents/aac-qubit-analysis-request-form