Ethidium Bromide Contaimations - (Sep/11/2007 )
Hi,
I am a student working in a Molecular Biology lab. I have some queries concerning EtBr:
In making the agarose gel for DNA electrophoresis, my practice is that I add an appropriate amount of agarose powder together with TAE buffer into a conical flask, then I put the flask in microwave to heat the agarose. I slightly cool the gel solution afterwards by cooling the wall of the flask in flowing tap water and then I poured it into a mold.
Here comes my question, would some EtBr gets evaporated while I performed the above steps (especially in the last step)? and is it a hazard if I inhaled some of the evaporated EtBr gas (if there is any)? I often do electrophoresis, so can anyone give me some ideas whether this could be harmful or not?
Thx in advance.
in our lab, we don't add in EtBr to agarose. we stain with EtBr after running the gel. so out gel set are all EtBr free and limit EtBr contamination to staining-destaining area and imager area.
When I read anyone being so aware of EtBr, I feel I am the most careless person in the whole world.
Like. .
I don't do mol. bio exp much but once in a while, around once in a month or so, I do run a DNA electrophoresis. I am careful about EtBr being carcinogenic but all I do is wear a glove and be sure I don't touch anything with EtBr. No body does that anywhere I am sure but I put EtBr in gel also and in the running buffer also. Thing about inhaling the fume. . came to my mind once or twice but dismissed it thinking that is too much thinking.
About EtBr's carcinogenic potential, does anyone know any real case in real life? There are so many of us working with EtBr but how common is it? If there are non, then is it because EtBr's carcinogenic effect needs much more exposure and it has to be stronger or that those who work with it are really careful.
Beside EtBr, there are so many other carcinogens that we are regularly exposed to at lab and outside lab.
hkuspace graduate, U can wear a mask or do it under hood if U have fear. Or, like Sanjiun said, do in EtBr free gel. I will learn that method too. Can anyone tell us in brief how to use EtBr the least.
I believe that if there is any Etbr evaporation, the amounts that you inhale are insignificant. In our lab (and most labs I know that work in molec biology) there are no precautions about possible Etbr evaporation. I know a couple of people who do their gels in a chemical hood though. Avoid breathing Etbr powder of couse, but other than that, I don't see very strong reasons to be afraid.
I don't think Etbr is a confirmed carcinogen, it's just a potential one. Thus the precautions. But you'd only be in big trouble if you swallowed it or something.
Do be careful with it but don't let fear take over you (fear is the path to the dark side, you know?).
Ah, but let us not forget the history of EtBr aka homidium. This compound was first developed in the 1950s as a drug to combat trypanosome, the bugs that causes sleeping sickness. Even today, in Africa EtBr remains the prefered drug to treat Trypanosomiasis in lifestock and pets.
So while we may worry, EtBr isn't that toxic. It can't penetrate uncut skin as the molecule is large bulky nonpolar.
Don't lose sleep over it. EtBr is bad. But so is Copper II sulphate.
Fear leads to the dark side.
This topic has being discussed many times here. Some people are very afraid of EtBr, but some people don’t.
Not long time ago I asked for data sheet of EtBr where the carcinogenic and mutagenic effect where described and actually I saw EtBr is not as dangerous as most people think.
I knew a researcher who died because of Acrilamid ingestion (a friend’s professor) it was really quick and dramatic. But I’ve never heard any real case about EtBr effect.
Hi,I am a student working in a Molecular Biology lab. I have some queries concerning EtBr:
In making the agarose gel for DNA electrophoresis, my practice is that I add an appropriate amount of agarose powder together with TAE buffer into a conical flask, then I put the flask in microwave to heat the agarose. I slightly cool the gel solution afterwards by cooling the wall of the flask in flowing tap water and then I poured it into a mold.
Here comes my question, would some EtBr gets evaporated while I performed the above steps (especially in the last step)? and is it a hazard if I inhaled some of the evaporated EtBr gas (if there is any)? I often do electrophoresis, so can anyone give me some ideas whether this could be harmful or not?
Thx in advance.
Here's an alternate way to do gels with EtBr that really reduces any risk. Make up the agarose in 1/2 the final volume of buffer (that is, prepare a 2x gel solution), then microwave (watch it and develop your own times in your own microwave so it doesn't boil too vigorously). Take the flask out of the microwave, swirl a bit to make sure all the agarose is well-dissolved, then add the remaining buffer. The net effect of this is to reduce the temperature of the gel from ~100C to ~60C. Add your EtBr, mix well and pour. Not only do you reduce the risk of the EtBr doing anything nasty (not that I think this is a real problem), but you also reduce the time it takes for the gel to set.
As some of the earlier postings has suggested, I don't think there's much risk of any EtBr evaporating. There are no suggestions it has any real-world volatility to speak of, so the only stuff in the steam will be steam and maybe something from the agarose.
Great idea!
I'm going to do it. 