A leak-proof gel system

Gel electrophoresis is one of the standard procedures in everyday laboratory practice. Yet the preparation can disrupt the daily routine due to leaking gels.

Gel electrophoresis is one of the standard procedures for separating DNA molecules by size. The principle is based on the fact that the negatively charged nucleic acids migrate to the positively charged electrode of the gel chamber. In this process, the molecules to be separated are applied to a gel matrix. This is made from agarose and can be used in various porosities, depending on how the separation is to take place. The following separation ranges are thus normally used for standard gels:

To ensure success of the gel and the gel electrophoresis

To produce such a gel matrix, the corresponding amount of agarose is melted in a buffer and then cooled until the agarose has solidified.

The gels are frequently prepared in a gel pouring stand and, after solidifying, are added to the corresponding device for the separation. In doing so, it must be ensured that the gel pouring stand is aligned straight so that the surface of the gel is not accidentally uneven. Likewise, there should not be any bubbles in the gel or any unmelted agarose residue remaining in the liquid.

Above all, however, the gel tablet should be securely enclosed in the pouring stand since otherwise the liquid agarose gel may leak. If this should occur, the gel must be made once again and a lot of work is needed to scrape the gelled mass from the work surface again.

A very interesting construction has therefore crept into many laboratories: The scientists apply adhesive tape to the gel tablet to ensure that no liquid can leak out. Aside from the fact that this method takes a lot of time, it is an incredible waste of adhesive tape and therefore in no way economical.

Fast and easy system for gel production

To eliminate such obstacles in daily laboratory practice, the gel can now be poured directly into the chamber. As a result, the gel stays even and at no point can liquid agarose leak. In addition, this saves space since a gel pouring stand takes up a large amount of work surface.

By filling the tablet directly in the chamber, a gel matrix is produced quickly and efficiently and can then be loaded easily with the nucleic acid to be separated. This also saves money since an additional gel pouring stand is no longer needed. With the gel systems from Galileo Bioscience, gels can be poured directly in the chamber, thereby eliminating minor obstacles in daily laboratory practice.