Protocol Online logo
Top : New Forum Archives (2009-): : Molecular Biology

Drying RNA in Speedvac - (Mar/08/2010 )

I'm using Speedvac to completely dry RNA.
We just got a new machine because old one broke, and it has temperature control (the old one only had on/off for the heating).
I don't want RNA to degrade due to high temperature, so at what temperature is it safe to dry?
Would RNA degrade once it's in pellet form by leaving it in the speedvac (say letting it dry overnight)?

-sihyunie-

Be careful not to "over dry" the RNA pellet, it will make it quite hard to re-dissolve. RNA is actually pretty stable in the absence of RNases, so I wouldn't be too worried about the RNA degrading due to heat - after all you heat it up for the re-dissolving steps anyway.
Attached File

-bob1-