Bio-Rad Ready Gel Precast Gels for 2-D Electrophoresis - Manual (Page 39)

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Section 12
Troubleshooting
Improper storage of Ready Gel precast gels can produce numerous artifacts. Gels should be stored flat at
4ºC. Avoid freezing or prolonged storage above 4ºC. If you suspect your gels have been stored improperly,
DO NOT USE THEM.
Problem Possible Cause Solution
Samples do not migrate into gel Tape at the bottom of the cassette Remove tape
not removed
Insufficient buffer in integral buffer chamber Fill buffer chamber with 125 ml
running buffer
Insufficient lower electrode buffer Fill both halves of the lower buffer tank
with sufficient running buffer
Electrical disconnection Check electrodes and connections
Bands “smile” across gel, band pattern Excess heating of gel Check buffer composition
curves upward at both sides of the gel
Completely fill both halves of the lower
buffer tank with sufficient running buffer
Do not exceed recommended running
conditions
Skewed or distorted bands, lateral Excess salt in samples Remove salts from sample by dialysis or
band spreading desalting column prior to sample
preparation
Insufficient sample buffer or wrong formulation Check buffer composition and dilution
instructions
Problem Possible Cause Solution
Vertical streaking Overloaded samples Dilute sample
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