Agarose gel electrophoresis is an electrophoretic method that uses agarose as a medium to achieve separation of DNA?or?RNA?of different sizes. Agarose is a polysaccharide that is hydrophilic but uncharged.

To make?DNA?under alkaline conditions so that it is negatively charged (pH 8.0?buffer), under the action of electric current, agarose gel as a medium, from the negative pole to the positive pole to move, according to the different?DNA?molecules fragments of different sizes and shapes, the rate of the swimming in the electric field is not the same, and at the same time in the sample to add the dye can be and the DNA?molecules The complex is formed between the sample and the DNA?molecules, and after ultraviolet irradiation, the position of the?DNA?can be seen, so as to achieve the purpose of separation and identification.

Agarose gel electrophoresis precautions

The base plate must be sealed tightly with tape, otherwise the gel will leak out when filling. You can pour a small amount of gel at the junction first when filling the gel and use the solidified gel to seal it tightly.

The comb must not be inserted to the bottom, it should be 1-2mm away from the bottom, otherwise it is easy to break the gel when pulling out the comb, leading to leakage of the gel. When heating, care should be taken not to let the agarose boil too much, and it is sufficient to boil slightly until the solution is cool, i.e., it is all dissolved, and over-boiling will lead to an increase in the actual concentration of the gel.

When putting the gel into the electrophoresis tank, pay attention to the polarity, do not reverse the positive and negative poles. Be careful to tear off the sealing tape at both ends. The concentration of the gel is related to the size of the DNA to be separated. The general concentration is 1%, and the low concentration of the gel is particularly fragile.