What do you recommend for long-term storage of RNA?
For long-term storage, we recommend resuspending the RNA in stabilized formamide and storing at -70 degrees C. To remove the formamide, add 4 volumes ethanol and, if less than 20 µg RNA, also add NaCl to 0.2 M. Precipitate the RNA and use for downstream experiments.
Can a sample buffer with formamide be used with the Invitrogen TBE-Urea system?
There are many sample buffer formulations used, however we have found a distinct difference in the band appearance depending on the sample buffer composition. After evaluating urea, formamide, and various buffer systems, we found that the sharpest, flattest bands were obtained with a urea, Ficoll, and TBE buffer solution. Sample buffers made with formamide resulted in fuzzy, indistinct bands.