How do you store your gels? - (Jul/19/2006 )

Hi!

Once I couldn't take the picture of the gel because it was a problem with the software and I left in the fridge for the weekend. When I tried to take the picture I found out that all the bands were very difused. Recently I did the same but just overnight and it happened the same. Of course I'm not surprised about this, I had read about this matter. To help me to solve this in the future,

Could anyone tell me how to store the gels after the DNA run to prevent difusion? Should I keep it with my buffer in the fridge? How long could it last?

What happens if you leave one or two hours your gel in the bath after finishing the run? Does this difusion occur that soon?

Thanks

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I leave my gel in the gel chamber and run it at very low voltage like 10-15 V O/N. And take pic next day.

if u leave it as it is, the bands will look diffuse.

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i tend not to save them after running - maybe store your fresh gel in the fridge with some buffer and run the next day....
i have stored gels in the fridge with buffer for about 5 days no probs yet....

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Why not take the picture straight after running the gel unless you need to excise the band?

Storage of a fresh gel. Wrap in cling film and store in firdge but make sure fridge is not too cold or gel will 'ice up'. Does not need to be stored in buffer which makes it handier.

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Sometimes, u start a gel at the end of the day (and dont want to wait), run it slowly O/N and when u come in the morning u have a result.

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i am also interested to know is there any way to store the used gel/electrophoresed gel for atleast 12 hours

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Can we fix the gel to stop diffusion?

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Has somebody tried to freeze the gel?

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freezing gels doesnt work so hot, all thewater turns to ice and f the gel goes wonky, as for storing the gel in buffer over-night, I was always told this would lead to your DNA diffusing out on the agarose gel and into the solution

generally i wrapped my gel in clingfoil (plastic) and put them in the 4 degree freezer, i did this for gels that i only analysed 5 days later and the bands were all still perfect

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