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