RNA-Seq of Aedes aegypti: female abdomen, sample: P1
Using forceps and a stereoscope, abdomens, and thorax-head, were dissected and placed individually into 1.5ml safe-lock vials (Eppendorf, Cat # 05-402-25) ensuring that samples remained cold. Each vial was pre-labeled with 0.2ml sterile glass beads. Samples were stored at -80C, until processing.  Each sample was loaded into a Bullet Blender inside a BSC, making sure that each homogenization tube was closed tightly. Samples were homogenized by running the Bullet Blender at speed 8 for 5 minutes in 350 l of buffer RLT (Qiagen) + 1% 2-mercaptoethanol. Each sample was spun down in a bench-top centrifuge at maximum speed for 3 minutes. The supernatant was carefully removed and transferred into an AllPrep DNA spin column following the manufacturers protocol for RNA extraction using the AllPrep DNA/RNA mini kit (Qiagen). To obtain a higher RNA concentration, the 30 l RNA eluate was centrifuge for 1 min 8000 x g.