Rapid, cost-effective plate-based mRNA extraction from adherent and suspension cells, as well as from total RNA, is achieved with minimal hands-on time using the unique oligonucleotide immobilization technology in TurboCapture mRNA Kits. The kits allow mRNA to be purified by hybridizing to immobilized oligo-dT in each well of a 96- or 384-well plate. The immobilized oligo-dT in the well can be used as primer so that cDNA is synthesized while the mRNA remains hybridized, yielding cDNA that is covalently linked to the well. TurboCapture plates are compatible with most thermal cyclers, allowing mRNA hybridization, and subsequent cDNA synthesis and PCR, to take place in the same plate, minimizing sample handling and reducing consumable costs. The procedure can be automated on robotic instruments, due to the standard plate formats and simple workflows.