Fig. 2

Long term storage and freeze–thaw cycles do not significantly impact RNA isolated from PAXgene tubes. The following conditions with corresponding numbers are represented in this figure: #1—baseline RNA that was immediately isolated; #2—isolated RNA stored at − 80 °C for one year; #3—isolated RNA exposed to five freeze–thaw cycles; #4—isolated RNA exposed to ten freeze–thaw cycles. a mean RIN values with SD for n = 5 healthy controls for each condition. b electropherogram and RIN values of a representative subject’s total RNA samples for each condition, L RNA ladder, nt nucleotide length. RIN analysis and electropherogram visualization were performed on the same gel and on the same day for all treatment conditions