RNA quality can be quickly analyzed by adding small amounts of commercial bleach to TAE buffer-based agarose gels prior to electrophoresis. In the presence of low concentrations of bleach, the secondary structure of RNA is denatured and potential contaminating RNases are destroyed. 'bleach gel' is a functional approach that addresses the need for an inexpensive and safe way to evaluate RNA integrity and will improve the ability of researchers to rapidly analyze RNA quality.
- i would have thought that the hypochlorite in bleach is acidic and that the bleach would depurinate both dna and rna so would not expect this to work. There is not much point in inactivating rnases if the rna is also destroyed by a different mechanism but If anyone has seen a reference to this working it would be interesting to see.
I think that the question it is referred to this: attached file
thank you Valeria ...the bleach is buffered with TAE and I am now better educated. The results do look good.
This was actually very informative. Will be trying it out very soon !
@ Camille,
Do let us know when you get a results. I am interested to know the results too.
Also, I am wondering whether the bleach will erode the electrode wire inside the electrophoresis chamber after repeat uses [ http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Metal-Rust ].
If the electrode cord were covered in PVC maybe can be protected, at only 1% bleach (as used in the article), but it is better "sacrifice" only a chamber for this purpose and, at least wash very well the chamber after each running.
The electrode wire inside the electrophoresis chamber is a platinum wire. I am not sure they are PVC-coated. See below link and picture for how people build their own electrophoresis chambers to run gels.
http://citizensciencequarterly.com/2011/10/cheapass-science-gel-box/
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