Gels

How can i keep my already casted agarose gels long term?

The idea being that because in my PhD project I will be doing a lot of PCR and hence running a lot of gels, I had the idea that to improve the throughput I could spend maybe half a day a week making a load of gels then use them as I need them. Perhaps freezing them?

Public Comments

1. Don't freeze them, that will break up the structure of the gel. I wrap them in cling wrap and keep them in the refrigerator. They last me a few weeks like that. If they dry out a little, just put them in the gel box for a few minutes before you load them, and they hydrate back up. DK
2. i put them in a ziplog bag with a little of the buffer solution and then place them in the refrigerator (not the freezer) and have had no difficulties in keeping them for a couple of weeks. those not used can be broken up and stored in a bttle and remelted for the following year(though thse actual agarose concentration will probably change a little due to evaporation.