7 replies to this topic

[mad]

Hi everyone

I would like to ask the forum on their idea of agarose gel staining dyes. What is your opinion on the different type of dyes being used. Currently I'm using etbr but my supervisor has decided to change dye.

I have read of using gelred or gelgreen.

What do you guys think?Please let me know if there is some other alternative dyes that is good

Thanks in advance

MAD

[hanming86]

i like etbr coz i like to see those band shines under the UV .

it's fast it's easy to destain.

[mdfenko]

you can also try the sybr dyes

(disclaimer, i use etbr).

[jiajia1987]

you can try gel star dye too. all you need is a very small amount of DNA and the loading dye because gelstar is pretty sensitive and shines pretty well.

I think i posted a thread somewhere here about the different types of gel stain before, but i am not too sure where it is.

[mdfenko]

jiajia1987, on Apr 27 2009, 04:29 AM, said:

I think i posted a thread somewhere here about the different types of gel stain before, but i am not too sure where it is.

have you checked the archives (of precrash posts)?

[juanboja]

Hi, I'm new here but it has been a really helpful site. Thanks everyone.

Concerning to the topic, I use SYBR SAFE and works really great without so much precaution than with etbr.

Let me know your opinions about it.

[microgirl]

EtBr is good and the cheapest way to go. Why is your supervisor wanting to change? If it's the hazards of EtBr that he/she's worried about you can search here for info about that. There's been some good threads about how it's really not as dangerous as people would have you believe unless you're regularly bathing in the stuff.

[hobglobin]

microgirl, on Apr 30 2009, 09:29 PM, said:

EtBr is good and the cheapest way to go. Why is your supervisor wanting to change? If it's the hazards of EtBr that he/she's worried about you can search here for info about that. There's been some good threads about how it's really not as dangerous as people would have you believe unless you're regularly bathing in the stuff.

Silver staining is another method, with higher resolution, but labour-intensive. GR Safe and GelGreen are alternatives to SYBR and EtBr stainings. Never used them but should be cheaper and/or safer (not needing organic solvent).