Guanidine thiocyanate is widely used in molecular biology for the isolation of nucleic acids, particularly RNA, due to its ability to denature proteins and inhibit RNases. It is a key component in many RNA extraction protocols, including the popular single-step method using phenol-chloroform. The chemical works by disrupting cell membranes and denaturing proteins, allowing RNA to be separated and purified. It is also employed in DNA extraction, though less commonly. Additionally, guanidine thiocyanate is utilized in the preparation of samples for downstream applications like PCR, sequencing, and hybridization. Its strong chaotropic properties make it effective in solubilizing biological materials, ensuring high-quality nucleic acid yields.