Troubleshooting
Observation
Possible cause
Recommended action
Poor resolution or smearing of
bands
Sample is overloaded.
Use correct amount of sample as described in
Sample Preparation. Do not exceed 500 ng of
total DNA per one sample lane or 500 ng DNA
per one band. Do not exceed 1 μg for sheared
DNA.
High salt concentration.
Dilute high-salt samples as described in
Sample Preparation. Dilute samples 2- to 30-
fold depending on the E
‑
Gel
™
type.
Total sample volume is too low
or too high.
Load recommended sample volume of 25 µL
per lane. Keep all sample volumes uniform.
Load deionized water in all empty wells.
Loading wells were not pre-
filled with deionized water prior
to loading the sample.
Fill all gel wells with 50 µL of deionized water
prior to loading any sample or a ladder.
Samples were not prepared
properly.
Prepare up to 25 µL of sample in 1X
concentration of 10X Sample Loading Buffer.
Physical gel damage.
Avoid touching the gel well with the pipette
when loading the sample.
Band distortion caused by air
bubbles.
Avoid introducing bubbles while loading the
samples.
Gel electrophoresis was not
starated immediately after
sample loading.
Run the gel within 1 minute of sample loading.
Gel was not loaded with the
sample for an extended time.
Load the opened gel within 15 minutes after
opening.
Expired gel used.
Use properly stored gels before the expiration
date.
Gel was frozen.
Always store gels at room temperature. Gels
exposed to temperatures below 4
℃
exhibit
smears.
Extended electrophoresis run
time.
Extended run times resulting in poor band
migration or a melted gel.
Low yield
Incorrect loading volume
chosen.
Load up to 25 µL of prepared sample per well.
Recovery wells were not filled
with water prior to elution.
Once target fragment reaches reference line,
pause the run and fill all recover wells with
deionized water.
A
E
‑
Gel
™
Power Snap Plus Electrophoresis System User Guide
43
