Visualization of a low concentration andmolecular weight DNA (DNA gel stain) v2

After PCR amplification of DNA, agarose gel electrophoresis is run to separate the DNA based on their size. The agarose gel consists of microscopic pores that act as a molecular sieve which separates molecules based on their charge, size and shape. Agarose gel electrophoresis can also be used to separate other charged biomolecules such as RNA and proteins. Agarose is isolated from the seaweed genera Gelidium and Gracilaria and consists of repeated agarobiose (L- and D-galactose) subunits. The concentration of agarose in a gel depends on the sizes of the DNA fragments to be separated, with most gels ranging between 0.5%-2%. This protocol describes the use of BenBio DNA gel stain for the visualization of low molecular weight and low concentration DNA with agarose gel electrophoresis. The BenBio DNA gel stain is therefore, a good alternative to EtBr-based DNA gel stains.