Why MOPS for RNA gels?

[Tracy Aquilla]

In Article <371sh0$8qe at server.st.usm.edu>, gshearer at whale.st.usm.edu (Glen
Shearer) wrote:
>
>Just out of curiosity....why does everyone use MOPS
>buffer for RNA gels?  Why not use autoclaved TBE or TAE?
>
>Also, I recall a note in Biotechniques about leaving out
>the formaldehyde in the gel.  The idea was that the
>formamide/formaldehyde in the sample buffer denatured the RNA
>and it separated fine!  Anybody ever try this?
> 
>Glen
>

I think MOPS is used because it's traditional. I suppose it's a better
buffer than Tris though. For a good reference on running gels without
formaldehyde, see NAR 21(11): 2783-4.

Tracy Aquilla, Ph.D.
Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
University of Vermont
aquilla at salus.med.uvm.edu