If you are going to cut out the gel bands yourself from a gel, please follow carefully the following instructions:

• ONLY cut gels on a clean glass plate (never use overhead projector foils)
• Wear gloves at all times
• Use a NEW clean scalpel blade for precise cutting

• PRECISELY cut out ONLY the band - any excess gel will lead to background noise

• Chop the gel band into approx 1 mm squares

• Place the gel cubes in a clean eppendorf tube (500 µL) and add enough water just to cover
• Check the lid is shut before placing in an envelope to send.
• Please DO NOT use parafilm around the lids