Team:HKUST/Protocols/Agarose gel

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(New page: 1. Agarose gel preparation and gel electrophoresis Purpose: To check the result Materials: Agarose, 0.5X TBE, SYBR safe DNA gel stain, DNA loading dye, DNA ladder/marker Choice of...)
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1. Agarose gel preparation and gel electrophoresis  
1. Agarose gel preparation and gel electrophoresis  
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  Purpose: To check the result
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*Purpose: To check the result
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  Materials: Agarose, 0.5X TBE, SYBR safe DNA gel stain, DNA loading dye, DNA ladder/marker  
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*Materials: Agarose, 0.5X TBE, SYBR safe DNA gel stain, DNA loading dye, DNA ladder/marker  
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  Choice of ladders: VC100bp Plus DNA ladder (highest band 3000bp);  
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**Choice of ladders: VC100bp Plus DNA ladder (highest band 3000bp); Lamda DNA BstEII marker (highest band 8400bp, 1% argarose)
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                    Lamda DNA BstEII marker (highest band 8400bp, 1% argarose)
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*Procedure:  
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  Procedure:  
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**To make a 0.8% agarose gel, use 0.16 g agarose per 20 mL 0.5x TBE.  
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  a.To make a 0.8% agarose gel, use 0.16 g agarose per 20 mL 0.5x TBE.  
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**Cover the flask with plastic wrap to prevent boiling over, then microwave the solution for 1-2 minutes to  dissolve the agarose.  
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  b.Cover the flask with plastic wrap to prevent boiling over, then microwave the solution for 1-2 minutes to  dissolve the agarose.  
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**Let agarose solution cool for 5 minutes, then add SYBR safe DNA gel stain to a final concentration of 0.5 μg/mL.  
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  c.Let agarose solution cool for 5 minutes, then add SYBR safe DNA gel stain to a final concentration of 0.5 μg/mL.  
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**Pour the agarose solution into a casting tray with well comb in place. Allow 20-30 minutes to completely solidify.
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  d.Pour the agarose solution into a casting tray with well comb in place. Allow 20-30 minutes to completely solidify.
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**Place the agarose gel into the gel box and fill the box with 0.5X TBE until the gel is immersed.
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  e.Place the agarose gel into the gel box and fill the box with 0.5X TBE until the gel is immersed.
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**Load an appropriate molecular weight ladder into the first lane of the gel. If needed, an additional ladder with different molecular weight could be loaded into the last lane.
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  f.Load an appropriate molecular weight ladder into the first lane of the gel. If needed, an additional ladder with different molecular weight could be loaded into the last lane.
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**Add 1 μL loading dye per 5 μL of sample.
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  g.Add 1 μL loading dye per 5 μL of sample.
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**Load the samples from left to right.
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  h.Load the samples from left to right.
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**Cover the gel box and plug in the electrodes in a way that the samples will run towards the positive, red electrode.
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  i.Cover the gel box and plug in the electrodes in a way that the samples will run towards the positive, red electrode.
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**Run the gel at 100V until the dye line is approximately 50-75% of the way down the gel. Approximately 20-30 minutes.
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  j.Run the gel at 100V until the dye line is approximately 50-75% of the way down the gel. Approximately 20-30 minutes.
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**Carefully remove the gel from the gel box and check the result under UV exposure.
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  k.Carefully remove the gel from the gel box and check the result under UV exposure.
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*Tips:  
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  Tips:  
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**Higher concentration of agarose solution makes better resolution for less molecular weight expected band.
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  •Higher concentration of agarose solution makes better resolution for less molecular weight expected band.
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**Let bottom of the flask be immersed in a cup of cold water for faster cooling.
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  •Let bottom of the flask be immersed in a cup of cold water for faster cooling.
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**In order for clearer band to cut specific band on the gel, immerse the gel in Ethidium bromide for 10-15 minutes after step k.
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  •In order for clearer band to cut specific band on the gel, immerse the gel in Ethidium bromide for 10-15 minutes after step k.
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*Safety tips:  
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  Safety tips:  
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**Be sure to wear a glove before treating the hot flask.
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  •Be sure to wear a glove before treating the hot flask.
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**Ethidium bromide is a strong mutagen. Wear a lab coat, eye protection, and gloves when working with this chemical.
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  •Ethidium bromide is a strong mutagen. Wear a lab coat, eye protection, and gloves when working with this chemical.
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Revision as of 15:50, 26 August 2009

1. Agarose gel preparation and gel electrophoresis

  • Purpose: To check the result
  • Materials: Agarose, 0.5X TBE, SYBR safe DNA gel stain, DNA loading dye, DNA ladder/marker
    • Choice of ladders: VC100bp Plus DNA ladder (highest band 3000bp); Lamda DNA BstEII marker (highest band 8400bp, 1% argarose)
  • Procedure:
    • To make a 0.8% agarose gel, use 0.16 g agarose per 20 mL 0.5x TBE.
    • Cover the flask with plastic wrap to prevent boiling over, then microwave the solution for 1-2 minutes to dissolve the agarose.
    • Let agarose solution cool for 5 minutes, then add SYBR safe DNA gel stain to a final concentration of 0.5 μg/mL.
    • Pour the agarose solution into a casting tray with well comb in place. Allow 20-30 minutes to completely solidify.
    • Place the agarose gel into the gel box and fill the box with 0.5X TBE until the gel is immersed.
    • Load an appropriate molecular weight ladder into the first lane of the gel. If needed, an additional ladder with different molecular weight could be loaded into the last lane.
    • Add 1 μL loading dye per 5 μL of sample.
    • Load the samples from left to right.
    • Cover the gel box and plug in the electrodes in a way that the samples will run towards the positive, red electrode.
    • Run the gel at 100V until the dye line is approximately 50-75% of the way down the gel. Approximately 20-30 minutes.
    • Carefully remove the gel from the gel box and check the result under UV exposure.
  • Tips:
    • Higher concentration of agarose solution makes better resolution for less molecular weight expected band.
    • Let bottom of the flask be immersed in a cup of cold water for faster cooling.
    • In order for clearer band to cut specific band on the gel, immerse the gel in Ethidium bromide for 10-15 minutes after step k.
  • Safety tips:
    • Be sure to wear a glove before treating the hot flask.
    • Ethidium bromide is a strong mutagen. Wear a lab coat, eye protection, and gloves when working with this chemical.