The main measures for maintaining polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis include the following:
Cleaning the glass plate: Before and after each electrophoresis, the glass plate should be cleaned with a soft brush and hot soapy water, then rinsed with distilled water and stood upright to dry. Before electrophoresis, clean the glass plate with glass cleaner and rinse with 70% ethanol to accelerate drying.
Pre-polymerization treatment: Polyacrylamide does not necessarily need to be degassed before polymerization, because oxygen inhibits polymerization. When preparing the gel, ensure that there are no bubbles in the mixture and remove the air.
Gel preparation: Add acrylamide, BIS, water, buffer, ammonium persulfate and TEMED in sequence, mix well and pour immediately. Ensure that the gel solidifies within 30 minutes to 1 hour. Too slow or too fast may affect the electrophoresis effect.
Precautions during electrophoresis: When using a microinjector, the needle should be cleaned in time after aspiration to prevent clogging. The dropper, pipette, etc. used to absorb the sol should be emptied and rinsed immediately to prevent coagulation and blockage.
During the electrophoresis process, be careful not to break the flat glass and move gently.
Post-electrophoresis treatment: After the electrophoresis is completed, use a soft brush and cloth to clean the gel in hot soapy water, then rinse with distilled water and stand it upright to dry. Avoid using detergent and brushes to scrub the electrophoresis flat glass plate. Storage conditions: Polyacrylamide gel should be stored in a dry, dust-free environment to avoid moisture and contamination. It should be cleaned and stored dry in time after use.