Standard Operating Procedure

Title:Agarose gels: Making to running

Dept: Agronomy

Lab: Agronomy G313, B411, B413

Supervisor: Randy Shoemaker

1. Know the location of the Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDS) for all hazardous chemicals used in this

procedure (ethidium bromide and TAE). Read and become familiar with the safe use of these chemicals. If

you have a question or concern regarding health or safety with respect to a specific chemical, consult the

laboratory supervisor, or the principal investigator before proceeding.

2. Always use protective clothing when working with these chemicals: Ethidium bromide, which is carcinogenic,

and TAE. Wear latex gloves, a lab coat and safety glasses. After using any/all of these chemicals, wash hands

before leaving the lab.

3. When using the microwave, place the cap on loosely, otherwise the bottle may explode. Afterwards, watch out

for hot steam that contains ethidium bromide. Agarose solutions tend to super heat and will boil over easily.

Wear gloves and use the rubber gripper when removing bottle from the microwave because the bottle is very

hot.

4. Let the gel cool by unscrewing the lid. Pour the gel once it is cool enough to handle without the rubber gripper.

5. Before loading the gel, add loading dye to samples. The dye is permanent, it will not come out of your clothing.

6. Do NOT touch the gel when pouring or loading it because it contains ethidium bromide.

7. Whenever you have a question or concern regarding health or safety with respect to a specific procedure,

consult the laboratory supervisor or the principal investigator before proceeding.