improvment of high MW RNAs in northern blotting - (Jul/05/2002 )

Hi !
Does anyone there knows how to improve the transfer of long RNAs onto a nylon membrane in northern ? I thought illuminating the gel before transfer with UV light (254 nm), but I would like to know if there is no alternative way to proceed (less agressive for RNAs).
Thanks a lot.

Have you tried alkaline transfer?

Use a trans-blotter (BioRad) and electroblot them

60V for 1 hr.  If you are using agarose-formaldehyde gel -- use 0.2X MOPS as the buffer.