1% agarose gel recipe
The most common gel for DNA electrophoresis — 1% agarose separates roughly 0.5–10 kb fragments.
🧮 Volume calculator
| Component | Amount | Final concentration (1X) |
|---|---|---|
| Agarose | 500 mg | 1% (w/v) |
| DNA stain (as EtBr 10 mg/mL) | 2.5 µL | 0.5 µg/mL |
| 1X TAE (or 1X TBE) | to final volume |
Steps
- Add agarose to 1X buffer and microwave until completely clear (swirl occasionally to avoid boiling over).
- Top up evaporated water and cool to 55–60 °C (comfortable to hold).
- Add the DNA stain, mix, and pour into the tray with the comb.
- Let it set 20–30 min and place it in the tank filled with the same buffer.
Good to know
- Choosing %: 0.7% 0.8–10 kb · 1% 0.5–10 kb · 1.5% 0.2–3 kb · 2% 0.1–2 kb.
- Safer stains such as SYBR Safe or GelRed follow the maker's dilution (typically 1:10,000).
⚠ Safety EtBr is a mutagen — wear nitrile gloves and follow your institution's disposal rules.
FAQ
TAE or TBE?
TAE for large fragments (>5 kb) or gel extraction; TBE for sharper small fragments.
This is a widely used standard composition. Amounts depend on the hydrate form and purity of your reagents — check the formula weight (FW) on the bottle and follow your institution's safety rules and the manufacturers' instructions.