RNaseZap® Products
 | Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is an especially sensitive and difficult molecule to work with because it is readily degraded. To help ensure success, steps must be taken to minimize nuclease contamination in RNA purification laboratories. Even trace quantities of RNase can lead to lower yields from in vitro transcription reactions, degradation during RNA purification protocols, and variable results with qRT-PCR. |
Life Technologies offers several Ambion® products in the RNaseZAP® family—RNaseZap® Solution, RNaseZap® Wipes, and ElectroZap™ Solution—that collectively provide a comprehensive approach to help ensure that work surfaces, pipettors, and equipment are RNase-free.
RNAseZap® products offer:
- Better RNase A decontamination than competitive products (Figure 1)
- Excellent decontamination of dried-on RNase A (Figure 2)
Product Selection Guide
| Function | Product | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Decontamination | RNaseZap® Solution | Glass and plastic surface decontaminant |
| RNaseZap® Wipes | Glass and plastic surface decontaminant in towelette form | |
| ElectroZap™ Solution | Noncorrosive cleaning solution, formulated to decontaminate electrode surfaces |
 |  |
Figure 1. Comparison of Available Cleaning Products for the Removal of RNase Contamination. Mouse liver total RNA (2 µg) was added to microcentrifuge tubes precontaminated with RNase A and then cleaned with different commercially available RNase decontamination products: "a", "b", or RNaseZap® solution. The tubes were then rinsed twice with water prior to the addition of the RNA in 20 µL of TE. The samples were incubated at 37°C for 30 min. Ten microliters of each sample was resolved on a 1.5% agarose gel (TAE) and visualized on a UV light box. |
Figure 2. Removal of Dried-on RNase Contamination. A 5 µg sample of RNase A was vacuum-dried onto the bottom of two microfuge tubes. One tube was then rinsed with water, and one tube was rinsed with RNaseZap® solution. Two micrograms of total RNA was added to each of the microcentrifuge tubes, incubated at 37°C for 30 min, and assessed on a 1.5% agarose gel. |
RNaseZAP® Product-Related Articles
Technical Bulletins
TechNotes Articles
- Combat RNase Contamination in the Lab - TechNotes 11(2): We offer a complete selection of Ambion® products to help prevent, detect, and eliminate RNase contamination in molecular biology experiments.
- Detect RNases Before They Ruin Your Experiment - TechNotes 8(2): New 30-minute test for verifying that common lab solutions are RNase-free.
- Measuring RNase Activity - A Real-time Kinetic Analysis - TechNotes 8(4): Detect nuclease and standardize enzyme activity.
- Which Water to Use? - TechNotes 11(4): Don't overlook the water used in the experiment when trying to pinpoint the source of RNase contamination.
General Articles
- Top Ten Ways to Improve Your RNA Analysis Experiment
