RNA-Solv® Reagent is a one reagent system for the isolation of total RNA from cells and tissues. The reagent, a single-phase solution consisting of phenol and guanidine isothiocyanate, is a modification of the single-step RNA isolation method developed by Chomczynski and Sacchi. The sample is homogenised and lysed in RNA-Solv® Reagent, which maintains the integrity of the RNA while disrupting and denaturing endogenous RNases and other cellular components. Extraction of the lysate with chloroform further denatures proteins and separates the mixture into an organic and an aqueous phase. RNA remains exclusively in the aqueous phase, and is subsequently recovered by isopropanol.

This method is suitable for a wide range of starting material: Up to 1 g of tissue or 1×10⁸ cells of human, animal, plant, or bacterial origin. The simplicity of the RNA-Solv® Reagent method allows simultaneous processing of a large number of samples. The entire procedure can be completed in one hour. Total RNA prepared can be used for Northern blot analysis, dot blot hybridization, poly(A)+ selection, in vitro translation, RNase protection assay, and molecular cloning. For use in amplification by thermal cycling, treatment of the isolated RNA with RNase-free DNase I is recommended when the two amplimers lie within a single exon.