Visualisation; Troubleshooting - StarLab Phoresis N2007-0810 Manuel D'utilisation

VIII. VISUALISATION
Stain the gel with ethidium bromide solution or other suitable stain for agarose gels.
Note: Ethidium bromide is a mutagen and can cause serious skin and eye irritation. STARLAB
recommends wearing its Microflex
After the staining process gel may be viewed using a transilluminator. The gel tray is made of UV
transmissible acrylic and, therefore, may be placed directly on the transilluminator to view the gel.
IX. TROUBLESHOOTING
Many factors may affect the quality of gel preparations. For example, preparation of gel and sample
buffers, gel casting and tank assembly and/or run conditions. Reading and following the instructions in
this user manual can solve most problems. Some of those most commonly experienced problems, along
with suggestions for solving them, are listed below:
Problem: GEL SMILING
• Gel may be uneven. Be sure to pour gel on a level surface.
• Voltage may be too high. Lower voltage setting on power supply. See TABLE C.
Problem: NO MIGRATION
• No power is contacting the gel. Be sure all contacts are made between the power supply and the
electrophoresis tank.
• Check buffer preparation to be sure the proper ionic strength buffer was prepared.
• Check integrity of electrodes to be sure no breakage has occurred. Any breaks in the electrode will
cause slow migration or none at all. If a break is found contact STARLAB.
Problem: SLOW MIGRATION
• Check buffer preparation to be sure the proper ionic strength buffer was prepared.
• Voltage too low, increase voltage, see Instructions for proper running conditions.
• Check integrity of electrodes to be sure no breakage has occurred. Any breaks in the electrode
will cause slow migration or none at all. If a break is found contact STARLAB.
Problem: EXCESSIVE HEAT
• Ionic strength of buffer is too high. Check buffer preparation to be sure the proper ionic strength
buffer was prepared.
• Voltage is too high, decrease the voltage; see TABLE C for proper running conditions.
Problem: ONE SIDE OF GEL RUNNING SLOWER
• Gel may be uneven. Be sure to pour gel on a level surface.
• Check integrity of electrodes to be sure no breakage has occurred. Any breaks in the electrode may
cause uneven migration or none at all. If a break is found contact STARLAB.
Problem: NO BANDS VISIBLE
• Be sure gel was placed in the electrophoresis tank in the proper orientation. If orientation or polarity
is reversed, the samples will migrate off the gel.
• If DNA marker was used and is present on the gel, check the integrity of the sample.
• Shorten run time. Gel should be stopped when the dye front has migrated to approximately 5mm
from the end of the gel.
8
StarPhoresis Mini and Wide Mini Gel Horizontal Electrophoresis Systems
Freeform gloves, and safety glasses, when handling.
® TM