How to Avoid a Leaky SDS-PAGE gel

[alabonneheure1]

Yesterday I tried the parafilm trick and the pen trick at the same time and the darn gel still leaked. I don't know what else to do. Could you post the recipe for the agarose gel trick? I would appreciate it. Thanks so much.

[labtricks]

@alabonneheure1 Make sure you are using fresh ammonium persulphate solution - if it's old, the gel will not polymerize (or will polymerize much slowly), increasing the chances of leaking.

Also, @parugoelbiologist just replied about the agarose trick: add a 4-5% agarose solution to the foam, then put the glass plates on top and let it solidify. Once solid, continue with resolving as usual. Good luck!

[sakaewan]

Try petroleum jelly to seal the bottom of the plate. Works everytime, espectially with apparatus which more difficult to set than BD ^_^

[labtricks]

@sakaewan Thanks for the trick! Right, the pen trick is limited to this apparatus, but petroleum jelly should work for all casting sets. Thanks =)

[sakaewan]

Try petroleum jelly to seal the bottom of the plate. Works everytime, espectially with apparatus which more difficult to set than BD ^_^

[veetube1414]

Yeah thanks for this! I will try it. I just spent 1 hour repeating it! Urr! Thanks

[beeryya]

you can use agarose gel to stop it from leaking

[labtricks]

@beeryya interesting! thanks for sharing =) could you provide more details about you use that? do you add the agarose gel to the foam underneath the plates, or do you put it in between the glass plates before the resolving gel?

[parugoelbiologist]

@labtricks agarose/agar gel (abt 4-5%) may be used for the purpose. add the agarose gel to the foam underneath the plates, not like you do with the resolving gel. in molten state, this gel will automatically rise in between the plates. then let it solidify.

[labtricks]

@parugoelbiologist Thanks for sharing this! I've never used the agarose trick but will give it a try =)

[born2strangesights]

thanks for uploading this video...a leaking gel is a very common problem!! i normally use an microfuge tube instead of the pen...but hey they all work!! i would also like to try the parafilm though....it's a good idea, thanks

[labtricks]

@born2strangesights cool! never thought about a microfuge tube before, but thanks for the tip! i'll try it sometime =)

[proteinP53]

Thanks yiu : )

[Malangen7]

Pre-cast gels are where it's at!

[happytammy99]

good tricks-- Thanks

[ammascrazy]

nice one.. i have wasted hours on fixing thios problem . thank u