If you are accustomed to working with tissues where RNA is plentiful, such as liver, you may have unrealistically high expectations of RNA yields from tissues with lower RNA contents (e.g., skin, muscle, bone). Tables 1 and 2 provide general guidelines for estimating RNA yields from a variety of cells and tissues. Remember that RNA yields from analogous tissues in different organisms can also vary.

Schematic of how much RNA is isolated from different human tissues

Table 1. Total RNA Yields from 1 mg of Various Tissues.

Schematic of how much tissue or cells yields how much RNA

General Guideline for the Amount of Total and Poly(A) RNA to Expect from Tissues and Cells


RNA isolation resources

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.