FAQ
Why is the electrophoresis run on the vertical gel unit running unusually slow or fast?
There are several possible causes for an unusually slow or fast run on a vertical electrophoresis unit:
1. Current leakage around gel. Check for leaks, all plates and spacers must be aligned and free of grease and cracks. If using SE600, make sure that buffer dam is used and assembled properly.
2. Sample or reagent preparation.
a. Check recipes, gel concentrations, and buffer dilution. (For instances, do not use Tris-HCl instead of Tris for Laemmli tank buffer.)
b. If proteins move too fast, dilute the buffer so that less current will be carried.
c. If proteins move too slowly, increase the buffer concentration so that more current will be carried.
d. If the required pH of a solution is overshot, do not back-titrate. Discard and prepare fresh buffer.
e. Dispose of older acrylamide solutions and use only stock of the highest quality.
f. Only use fresh deionized urea.
g. Decrease the salt concentration of samples.
3. Voltage or current settings. To increase or decrease the migration rate, adjust the voltage or current by 25 - 50%.
Can I store cast gels?
To store unused gels add approximately 5.0 ml of 1X separating gel buffer to the top of each sandwich, seal with plastic wrap (or heat-seal into a bag), and lay flat in refrigerator set to 4 °C. Or, lay gels flat in a Pyrex baking dish, submerge in 1X separating buffer, and store refrigerated. Use within 1 week.