Troubleshooting - Thermo Scientific invitrogen E-Gel G8121ST User Manual

Troubleshooting

Observation
No current
Poor resolution or
smearing of bands
36
Cause
Cassette improperly
Inserted, defective or expired
Incorrect adaptor used
Sample is overloaded
High salt concentration
Total sample volume is too low
Physical gel damage
Band distortion caused by air
bubbles
Gel was not electrophoresed
immediately after sample
loading
Gel was not loaded with the
sample for an extended time
Expired gel used
Gel was frozen
Extended electrophoresis run
time
Low glycerol content in the
loading buffer when running
E-Gel EX gels.
™
Recommended action
Remove and re-insert cassette or try using new
cassette. Use properly stored gels before the specified
expiration date.
Use only UL Listed Class 2 Direct Plug-in Adaptor
included with the E-Gel
™
Device.
Use correct amount of sample as described in Sample
Preparation.
Dilute your samples 2- to 30-fold depending on the
E-Gel type.
™
Load recommended sample volume-based gel type.
Keep all sample volumes uniform. Load deionized
water in all empty wells.
Avoid touching the gel well with the pipette when
loading the sample.
Avoid introducing bubbles while loading the samples.
Run the gel within 1 minute of sample loading.
Load the opened gel within 15 minutes after opening.
Use properly stored gels before the expiration date.
Always store gels at room temperature. Gels exposed
to temperatures below 4°C exhibit smears.
Extended run times resulting in poor band migration or
a melted gel.
Allow the gel to sit for 2 minutes after loading the
samples, so the sample can settle before starting the
run.
E-Gel Power Snap Electrophoresis System User Guide
™
Appendix A
Power Snap Electrophoresis