When studying a disease with no cure, every sample counts. Researchers at Yale University share how they ensure their RNA is always RNA-Seq ready.
A disease that affects 12 million people — and no treatment yet
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common inherited kidney disorders worldwide. Fluid-filled cysts progressively replace healthy kidney tissue, ultimately leading to organ failure. With no existing cure, understanding the molecular mechanisms behind cyst progression is more critical than ever.
For the research teams working on ADPKD, every experiment matters — and reliable RNA extraction is the non-negotiable first step.
The challenge: extracting intact RNA from diseased tissue
Working with both normal and cystic kidney tissue in the same workflow introduces real risks: degraded RNA, inconsistent quality across samples, and batch effects that can undermine entire RNA-Seq datasets.
Researchers Zemeng Wei, Michael Rehman, and Stefan Somlo at Yale University faced this challenge head-on — and documented their solution.
What they found
Using the Precellys Evolution Touch, the Yale team developed a validated homogenization workflow delivering high-integrity, sequencing-ready RNA across all their kidney samples — consistently, and at scale.
Discover the full protocol, results and key parameters in the application note.
Reference: Wei Z., Rehman M., Somlo S. — Glis3 is a modifier of cyst progression in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. bioRxiv, 2025.
