RE: Pre-mix Gel solution

Miller, Mark J. (MILLERM@dc37a.nci.nih.gov)
Mon, 18 May 1998 09:20:37 -0400

We have used both the Owl burst packs and the FMC Singel packs. Both have given
us good results. The Owl packs (4.25% acrylamide) are very easy to set up and
pour, and allow me to cast a gel in 10 minutes from scratch. Owl claims they are
good for 3 months, but I don't use them more than 6 weeks after prep date. On a
377, 36 cm plate, 1680V for 7 hrs I get 500-600 good bps of sequence (pGem
standard).

The FMC packs require about 30 minutes for complete casting. They're about $1
more expensive per pack, but last at least 3 months and can be store at room
temperature. Red rain is more of a problem with these packs, but I do get longer
reads. With a 5% gel on a 36 cm plate at 1680V for 8 hrs I'll get 550-700 bp of
sequence. With a 4.75% get on 48 cm plates at 2200 V (2400V results in a lot of
red rain) for 11 hrs I'll get 700-900 (sometimes 1000) bp of good sequence. Most
of my users have been more impressed with the resuls of the FMC gels than those
of the Owl.

Note these results are not the result of a carefully controlled set of test, but
generally impressions I've gotten using both makes of gels.

Mark J. Miller, Ph.D.
Bldg. 37, Rm 3C-28, MSC 4255
National Cancer Institute, NIH
Bethesda, MD 20892-4255

301-496-5688 x226
mark@helix.nih.gov

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From: Aki Hoji[SMTP:akhst7+@pitt.edu]
Sent: Friday, May 15, 1998 8:19 PM
To: Recipients of ABRF List
Subject: Pre-mix Gel solution

Dear,

If anybody successfully uses the pre-mix gel solution for ABI machines,
please let me know which ones work and which ones don't. Thanks in
advace !!

regards,

Aki Hoji (akhst7+@pitt.edu)
Dept. Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
University of Pittsburgh