Validation of RPS13 as a reference gene for absolute quantification of SIV RNA in tissue of rhesus macaques

•Endogenous RPS13 mRNA is a stable reference gene for RT-qPCR.•RPS13 mRNA expression exhibits limited intra-subject and inter-tissue variation.•RPS13 mRNA expression is unchanged by chronic alcohol, SIV infection, or ART.•We describe a streamlined RPS13/SIV assay for absolute tissue SIV RNA quantification.