Background

mRNA technology demonstrated remarkable success in the development of COVID-19 vaccines and has also achieved significant breakthroughs in preventive vaccines, cancer treatment, protein replacement therapy, and gene editing. Currently, approximately 70% of global mRNA projects in preclinical and clinical stages target diseases beyond COVID-19—31% focus on cancer, and 9% on other genetic and immune disorders. This shift indicates that non-vaccine applications will drive the future development of mRNA technologies.

To ensure product quality and regulatory compliance, the USP’s 3rd edition of Analytical Procedures for Quality of mRNA Vaccines and Therapeutics and the CDE’s Guidelines for the Development of COVID-19 Preventive Vaccines (Trial) have established standardized methods and acceptance criteria for mRNA quality assessment. Notably, both documents specify Capillary Gel Electrophoresis (CGE) as the preferred method for evaluating plasmid supercoiling and mRNA integrity.

Table 1. USP-Recommended Methods for Plasmid and mRNA Integrity Testing

The principle of capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) involves a capillary filled with gel, which connects two containers filled with buffer solution, serving respectively as the inlet and outlet. A voltage is applied across the system, and a detection window connected to a detector collects and processes data; this constitutes the CGE apparatus. Under buffer-gel conditions, the phosphate groups in nucleic acid molecules dissociate and carry a negative charge. When a reverse voltage is applied, nucleic acids move from the negative electrode toward the positive electrode. Under the same electric field conditions, nucleic acid molecules of different sizes and conformations migrate at different speeds and reach the detector at different times, thus achieving separation and detection.

Product Overview

RNA Ladder 6000

The RNA Ladder 6000 is a mixture of single-stranded RNA molecules of varying lengths, comprising eight reference bands at 200 nt, 500 nt, 1000 nt, 1500 nt, 2000 nt, 3000 nt, 4000 nt, and 6000 nt. With clear band resolution and precise molecular sizes, it is suitable for a variety of electrophoresis techniques, including non-denaturing gel electrophoresis, denaturing gel electrophoresis, and capillary gel electrophoresis.

RNA 6000 Ladder Capillary Gel Electrophoresis Profile

RNA 6000 Ladder Gel Electrophoresis Profile