How long to store 1% agarose gels? - (Jan/16/2007 )
Hello does anyone know...
How long can you store 1% agrose gels (made in [x1] TAE buffer) without an appreciable loss of efficiency? Also, in what manner is best to store them? At the moment I have them refrigerated in airtight containers, submerged in [x1] TAE buffer.
Many thanks …
Eve
Hi, I have stored them for nearly 3 months and longer, worked out well, everything normal. I have them in pipet boxes, submerged in TAE, but not airtight. I think, only if something is growing on them you should be worried 
Are you talking about used gel in which you have the DNA bands? which u want to excise later? or the newly made gel which you want to use later?
I have stored my used gel at 4C for couple of days. But they shrink and become ununiform making it nonsuitable for use. If you are talking about the eluted gel slices, I have stored them at -20 for couple of weeks without any problems..
its so cheap and easy to make agarose gels. At the end of the day, I throw away gels that I am not using.
They could last if they are mantein wet. Just remember to rinse with dH2O before use to eliminate any excess salt.
Also, if you have ethidium in them, make sure to store them in the dark.
Unfortunately I think the university would have a heart attack if I was throwing away gels at the end of the day (as they have to pay a lot for EthBr disposal!).
Unfortunately I think the university would have a heart attack if I was throwing away gels at the end of the day (as they have to pay a lot for EthBr disposal!).
Thanks so much for the advice everyone - its really appreciated!
3 month ?! that sound funny, I have only tried 2 weeks.
well, evejoss, where are you working ? how expensive for disposing EB ?
