Tutorials

Creating Agarose Gels

The University of Michigan has a useful document summarizing the process of agarose gel synthesis*:

http://labs.mcdb.lsa.umich.edu/labs/maddock/protocols/DNA/agarose_gels.html

Valery Normand's research New Insight Agarose Gel Mechanical Properties better explains the sensitive properties of agarose gel:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/bm005583j

Shoreline Community College has a useful video on the preparation of agarose gel:


 
*Note that the agarose gel used in this project will not need Ethidium Bromide (EtBr) because it is not undergoing electrophoresis.

Our procedure for making agarose gels is as follows:

Materials

100 ml graduated cylinder

250 ml beaker

1X TAE Solution

agarose powder

metal scoopula

balance

hot plate w/ magnetic stir bar

silicon hot hand

petri dish

Procedure

1. Measure out ~60 ml of 1X TAE solution into the graduated cylinder, record the exact amount.
2. Mass (0.06) * (vol. H2O) grams of agarose powder (~3.6 grams), record the exact amount.
3. Add measured volume of distilled water to beaker w/ magnetic stir bar, transfer to a hot plate under the hood. Set hot plate to ~100℃.
4. After a few minutes, or when the water begins to simmer, start the stir bar and add the agarose powder.
5. Turn up hot plate to 125℃ and watch beaker. Once all powder is dissolved, turn off hot plate and remove from heat with hot hand. CAREFUL!!! Solution is extremely hot at this point.
6. Allow solution to cool for a few minutes before transferring to your petri dish. Any leftovers should be stored in a seal container or kept in the beaker with saran wrap.
7. Let set for 15-20 minutes.

This gel will last for a week if sealed and kept in a cool environment.