NO WEDGE Sequencing Gels

I have been using an alternative to wedge gels that saves acrylamide, cuts gel drying time to 20 min and gives as good or better band squashing at the bottom of the gel. It was published in BioTechniques about 3 or 4 years ago (email me if you want the reference).

• use normal acrylamide made in 1 X TBE and urea.
• the gel takes half as long again to run.
• if you go over 65 - 70 W, the plates crack, especially old ones.
• I haven't tried not fixing it, but I see no problem.
• I fix for 20 min and dry for 20 min.

   

• use normal acrylamide made in 1 X TBE and urea.
• the gel takes half as long again to run.
• if you go over 65 - 70 W, the plates crack, especially old ones.
• I haven't tried not fixing it, but I see no problem.
• I fix for 20 min and dry for 20 min.

   

I only ran 3 or 4 wedge gels but I couldn't stand the dry times, but the results appear comparable - my friends who still run 'em agree with me.

I hope this is useful.

John Nash (Internet:) Nash@biologysx.lan.nrc.ca.

Email to my other addresses is forwarded automatically,

Disclaimer: All opinions are mine, not NRC's!