Red Nucleic Acid Gel Stain (10,000×)

Because of strong DNA binding affinity, Red Stain can be used to stain DNA before electrophoresis (pre-staining), as well as after electrophoresis (post-staining).

1.   Staining DNA before electrophoresis

 a.  Precast agarose gels with Red stain by diluting the Red Stain stock reagent 1:10,000 into the gel solution prior to pouring the gel.

 b.  When the gel is solid, load the samples and perform electrophoresis.

 c.  Detect the bands under UV illuminator.

Note:

 a.  The pre-staining protocol is not recommended for polyacrylamide gels. Polyacrylamide gels can be stained using the post-stain protocol.

 b.  Red Stain has good thermal stability, it can be added directly to hot agarose solution.

2.   Staining DNA after electrophoresis

 a.  Perform electrophoresis in an agarose or nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel without any stain.

 b.  Dilute the Red Stain stock reagent with 0.1 M NaCl at a ratio of 1:3300, for example: add 15 μL Red Stain stock reagent into 50 mL 0.1 M NaCl and gently shake to form a staining solution.

 c.  Cover the gel with staining solution in a suitable container such as a polypropylene staining tray and incubate at room temperature for 30 minutes with shaking. Staining time will vary depending on the thickness of the gel and the percentage of agarose or polyacrylamide.

 d.  Detect the bands under UV illuminator.

Note:

Staining solution can be reused at least 2-3 times. Store staining solution at room temperature protected from light.