In this study, functional corn RNA was quantitated by RT-qPCR using the GoTaq probe 1-step RT-qPCR system after two different extraction methods: the Promega Maxwell 16 LEV (low elution volume) plant RNA kit and a competitor spin column-based plant RNA extraction kit. To enhance the pipetting accuracy and consistency an automated pipetting assistant, Gilson Pipetmax 268, was used to reduce pipetting errors inherent in manual methods.