Methods and materials are disclosed for rapid and simple extraction and isolation of RNA from a biological sample involving the use of an acidic solution and a solid phase binding material that has the ability to liberate nucleic acids from biological samples, including whole blood, without first performing any preliminary lysis to disrupt cells or viruses. No detergents or chaotropic substances for lysing cells or viruses are needed or used. Viral, bacterial and mammalian genomic RNA can be isolated using the method of the invention. RNA isolated by the present method is suitable for use in downstream processes such as RT-PCR.