RNA gels - staining and denaturing

[Steven Sullivan]

I have excellent results visualizing RNA by jsut adding EtBr to the
loading dye at the standard concentration (something like 10 ug/ml --
whatever it says in Maniatis for EtBr in gels).  It is important, however,
to add the EtBR/dye *before * heat-=denaturing the RNA, otherwise
incorporation of EtBr into the RNA is lousy. 

The other trick for visualizing RNA is to add formaldehyde to both gel
*and* running buffer at the same conc.  I use a very low concentration as
per a Biotehcniques article of some years back -- around 0.2 M.  Having
formaldehyde in both buffer and gel results in much sharper bands.