15/11/2018
Page 10
Gel Staining and Viewing
The Multi Sub trays allow staining to be performed without removing the gel
from the tray if this is preferred.
1. Transfer the gel to a vessel containing the appropriate volume of 0.5 µg/ml
ethidium bromide stain for 15–30 minutes, see solutions for stock stain
concentration and adjust to the volume used accordingly. The entire gel
should be covered.
NOTE:
Ethidium bromide is a suspected carcinogen and the necessary safety
precautions should be taken.
2. De-stain the gel for 10–30 minutes in distilled water again ensuring the gel
is completely immersed.
3. Rinse the gel twice for a couple of seconds with distilled water.
4. Transfer the gel to a UV Transilluminator.
The samples will often appear as brighter, clearer bands when
photographed or viewed using a gel documentation system. However, if the
gel bands are too faint then the staining procedure should be adjusted so
that there is less de-staining. If there is too much background, then the
staining procedure should be adjusted so that there is more de-staining.
Solutions
0.5M EDTA stock (500mL)
dissolve in 400 ml distilled water:
93.05g EDTA disodium salt
Fill to 500 ml litre final volume with distilled water
50X TAE stock (1L)
dissolve in 750 ml distilled water:
242 g tris base (FW = 121)
57.1 ml glacial acetic acid
100 ml 0.5 M EDTA (pH 8.0).
Fill to 1 litre final volume with distilled water
