RNA was purified by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Akta Purifier, GE Healthcare) using a column matrix of alkylated non-porous polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer microspheres (2.1 μm) (21 × 100 mm column). Buffer A contained 0.1 M triethylammonium acetate (TEAA), pH = 7.0 and Buffer B contained 0.1 M TEAA, pH = 7.0 and 25% acetonitrile (Transgenomics). Columns were equilibrated with 38% Buffer B, loaded with RNA and run with a single or 2 linear gradients to 55 or 65% Buffer B over 20–30 min at 5 ml/min. RNA analyses were performed with the same column matrix and buffer system using a 7.8 mm × 50 mm column at 1.0 ml/min.