How to Store Agarose Gels

Stored As Stock Solution

• 1

  Mix the agarose with a specified amount of buffer, heat to liquefy--swirling often--and then let cool to solidify.

• 2

  Seal the flask thoroughly with parafilm, once the agarose has completely cooled.

• 3

  Store at room temperature for two to three weeks or indefinitely at 4 degrees Celsius. This is a stock solution of premixed agarose gel--it will require reheating prior to use.

Stored As A Single Gel In Buffer

• 4

  Pour the hot liquefied agarose into the electrophoresis chamber with the well combs in place and allow to cool and solidify.

• 5

  Fill the chamber with buffer, covering the now-solid agarose gel, and remove the comb(s).

• 6

  Seal the entire gel box and gel completely--with Saran Wrap or parafilm--and then refrigerate and store at 4 degrees Celsius. The gel may be stored indefinitely so long as it remains covered in buffer and is completely sealed. Should the buffer evaporate you will end up with greater salt concentration than desired, so the buffer should be changed prior to electrophoresis.

Stored As A Single Gel Without Buffer

• 7

  Remove the casting tray with the solidified agarose gel from the electrophoresis chamber after wetting the gel with buffer.

• 8

  Wrap the wet solid gel completely--with or without the casting tray--in Saran Wrap.

• 9

  Refrigerate for one to two weeks at 4 degrees Celsius.