Preparation of 1 mini-gel.

1. Based on expected fragment sizes, choose optimum agarose concentration from table below.
   
   
2. Securely tape ends of gel tray such that a small amount of tape is on underside of tray. Place tray on a sheet of plastic wrap in case of spillage. Align comb in tray parallel with and 1-2 cm from the end of the tray.
   
   
3. Add appropriate amount of agarose to 40 mL water in a 125 mL erlenmeyer flask, heat mixture in microwave on high setting for 1 - 1.5 min, or until mixture begins to boil.
   
   
4. Using a folded paper towel to hold the neck of the erlenmeyer flask, swirl the gel mixture well, and return to microwave. Heat for an additional 30 - 45 sec, or until mixture begins to boil.
   
   
5. Carefully remove molten gel solution from microwave using a folded paper towel to hold the neck of the erlenmeyer flask.
   
   
6. Add 0.8 mL 50x TAE buffer, 12 mL 1.6 mg/mL ethidium bromide (final conc = 0.5 mg/mL), swirl to mix, pour into gel tray, allow to stand at room temp for 20 - 30 min to solidify.

Gel Loading and Electrophoresis

7. Fill gel chamber with 1x TAE buffer such that the level of liquid just covers center platform. Remove tape from ends of gel, place gel in chamber with the wells near the negative electrode (anode-black), add sufficient 1x TAE to just cover the gel.
   
   
8. Cut a small piece of parafilm place on bench near gel, "spot" a 1-2 µL aliquot of loading dye  onto parafilm for each sample to be loaded on gel.
   
   
9. Draw sample (15 µL) into a pipette tip, pipette up and down onto a spot of loading dye to  mix, load sample into well of gel.  Be careful not to poke pipette tip through bottom of well.
   
   
10. Place cover over gel chamber, turn on power supply and set to 100 V, press run button.   Confirm proper operation by checking for gas production (bubbles) at electrodes (electrolysis of water).