miniPCR bio
TM
Dye Electrophoresis Lab: Molecular Rainbow - Instructor's and Student's Guide
Version: 1.0 - Release: April 2022 - © 2022 by miniPCR bio™
P./6
Instructor's Guide
1000
800
600
400
200
5.1 g
TBE powder
600 ml
distilled
water
800
1000
900
600
700
500
400
300
10-15 minutes
800
1000
900
600
700
500
400
300
1X
TBE
Lab setup
The following activities should be carried out by the instructor ahead of class. Reagents are
sufficient to be used with 8 student groups. Reagents are stable at room temperature.
Gloves and protective eyewear should be worn for the entirety of this lab.
B. Optional: prepare gels in advance of class
• Students can prepare gels in class, or to save time, the
instructor can prepare the gels in advance.
• Pre-poured gels can be stored for up to five days at
room temperature if in an airtight container.
• For detailed instructions on preparing agarose gels,
see page 29.
• Make sure to place the comb in the center of the gel.
A. Prepare 1X TBE buffer
• The lab kit comes with a 5.1 g pouch of TBE powder.
Mix TBE powder and 600 ml distilled water
- Obtain a heat resistant container such as a
glass Erlenmeyer flask or beaker that is at
least 1 L in volume.
- Empty entire container of TBE powder (5.1 g)
into the flask or beaker.
- Add 600 ml distilled water.
Comb in center!
- Optional: Pre-warming the water will make the TBE powder
dissolve faster.
• Mix solution for 10-15 minutes by stirring or shaking
- Stir or intermittently shake solution for 10-15 minutes.
- Warm as necessary to help dissolve powder. it is normal for
a small amount of powder to remain undissolved after 15
minutes. Small amounts of undissolved powder will not affect
performance.
• Store 1X TBE at room temperature in a closed container
- 1X TBE can be stored in an airtight container at room
temperature for at least three months.
- Discard unused 1X TBE buffer if it becomes cloudy or if gel
runs appear smeared.
