RNA Isolation from Normal and Cystic Kidneys - Yale University Validates a Workflow with Precellys Evolution Touch

Yale University researchers validated a Precellys Evolution Touch based homogenization workflow that yields high-integrity, sequencing-ready RNA from both normal and cystic kidney tissue, enabling scalable, consistent RNA-Seq studies in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

ADPKD affects about 12 million people globally and currently has no cure, making reliable RNA extraction a non negotiable first step to understand molecular drivers of cyst progression. Working with healthy and cystic tissue in a single workflow introduces risks of RNA degradation, variable quality, and batch effects that can compromise RNA-Seq datasets.

Researchers Zemeng Wei, Michael Rehman, and Stefan Somlo addressed these challenges by applying a validated homogenization protocol on the Precellys Evolution Touch, delivering consistent, high-integrity RNA across all kidney samples.

The resulting RNA was sequencing-ready, enabling robust downstream transcriptomic analyses at scale. The application note documents the protocol, key parameters, and observed performance across normal and cystic kidney specimens.

Reference context: the work sits within a broader investigation into modifiers of cyst progression in ADPKD, as reflected by the cited study Wei Z., Rehman M., Somlo S. Glis3 is a modifier of cyst progression in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. bioRxiv, 2025.

Key implications for renal genomics workflows

• Validated homogenization workflow with Precellys Evolution Touch yields high-integrity RNA across normal and cystic kidney samples
• Minimizes RNA degradation and batch effects to support large-scale RNA-Seq studies in ADPKD research
• Provides a scalable solution suitable for multi-sample processing in research settings