formaldehyde gel for RNA

[Przemko]

> I'd tried to run my RNA sample on formaldehyde agarose as protocol on
> Molecular cloning by Sambrook several times, but I get smear bands for
> samples and marker and failed to get two distinct band for 28S and 18S as
> expected. I'd eliminated the possibility of RNase contamination. Is these
> caused by quality of formaldehyde or pH?  Can I have references for these
> problem?
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> Jason

I do these gels all the time. I must tell you that most probably your 
RNA is degraded. Other possibilities include
- gel overloading (very common- you should put NOT more than 10ug total 
per lane in BRL Horizon 11x14 and a 10 well comb)
- too fast run (MOPS should not be abused- 100V in the above setup is 
OK)
- if you run the gel long time you should recirculate the buffer
- your formamide for the denaturation should be DEIONIZED. Try to freez 
small aliquots and then use each of them two- three times.
- to be sure the quality of your RNA you can run a normal TBE gel (just 
make sure that all is RNase free. TBE has to be made from a DEPC treated 
water. You cannot treat TRIS with that stuff). On that gel what you 
expect is a lot of smear and two VERY strong ribosomal bands. If you 
don't see that then your RNA is degraded.

Hope that this helps

Przemko