Gel Electrophoresis

During gel electrophoresis, applying 130 volts of electricity through the water (or buffer) can cause drastic pH changes. Because of these pH changes, a buffer (a substance that prevents large pH changes) is required. However, several different combinations of the buffers and gels can be used, and each should be tested to determine which is best. This experiment was done to determine which of three buffer and gel combinations is best for using gel electrophoresis with bromphenol blue.
Three different combinations of gel and buffer were tested. They were: (1) H2O gel with 1xTBE buffer, (2) 1xTBE gel with H2O buffer, and (3) 5xTBE gel with 0.1xTBE buffer. The gels were observed over approximately thirty minutes while the voltage was applied. The gels were observed for movement of the bromphenol blue, both from one end of the gel to the other, and from side to side (blurring).
When the negatively charged bromphenol blue was added to the wells in the gel, it sank in...