Home FAQs Are Gel Loading Dye, Blue (6x) and Gel Loading Dye Orange (6x) compatible with other systems such as SYBR (add registered mark symbol) and GelRed during gel electrophoresis?

FAQ: Are Gel Loading Dye, Blue (6x) and Gel Loading Dye Orange (6x) compatible with other systems such as SYBR (add registered mark symbol) and GelRed during gel electrophoresis?

Yes, you may use Gel Loading Dye Blue (6x) and Gel Loading Dye Orange (6x) with other dye systems. Because high affinity nucleic acid binding dyes can affect DNA migration during electrophoresis, post-staining of gels with SYBR or GelRed dyes is highly recommended. However, these dyes can be also be used as precast dyes (into the agarose gel). Please follow these recommendations:

  • Reduce the amount of sample DNA loaded to 60 to 125ng, and use 0.5X SYBR or GelRed dye in precast gels. These dyes are much more sensitive than EtBr. Blown out or smeared bands can be caused by overloading.
  • It is preferable to wait a few minutes to add the SYBR or GelRed dyes to the molten agarose. Adding it to a cooled agarose solution (above gelling temperature, 45°C) produces better results.
  • Always run a freshly made agarose gel, for a single run only. Re-running the gel will yield poor results.