A Versatile Composite Gel Column for the Electrophoretic Separation of Ribonucleic Acid Molecules

Abstract

A composite gel column system containing 2.4% acry I amide, 0.14% N,n¹-methylene bisacrylamide, 0.6% agarose and 15% glycerol as a component has been developed for the electrophoretlc separation of all kinds of ribonucleic acid molecules extracted from eucaryotlc cells. The separations achieved In this composite gel are due to the sieving of RNA molecules of various sizes with similar charge. As a result of the addition of glycerol the polymerization time of the composite gel is extended and the gel has increased mechanical stability. These stable gels can be sliced at room temperature for such procedures as measuring radioactivity or extraction. Their suitability for staining and absorbance scanning is not altered.