Protocol abstract
Nature Protocols 2, - 2649 - 2654 (2007)
Published online: 25 October 2007 | doi:10.1038/nprot.2007.330
Subject Categories: Genetic analysis | Genomics and proteomics | Imaging | Isolation, purification and separation | Nucleic acid based molecular biology
Silver staining DNA in polyacrylamide gels
Brant J Bassam1 & Peter M Gresshoff2
Abstract
This protocol describes a simple silver staining method used to visualize DNA fragments and other organic molecules with unsurpassed detail following traditional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Sensitivity rivals radioisotopic methods and DNA in the picogram range can be reliably detected. The described protocol is fast (
1 h) and is implemented using readily available chemicals and materials. To achieve the sensitivity and visual clarity expected, quality reagents and clean handling are important. The updated protocol described here is based on the widely used method of Bassam et al. (1991), but provides improved image contrast and less risk of staining artefacts.
- Corbett Life Science, Brisbane Technology Park, 42 McKechnie Drive, Eight Mile Plains, Queensland 4113, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
Correspondence to: Peter M Gresshoff2 e-mail: p.gresshoff@uq.edu.au
nature-products
A-Z product listing
- Acetic acid, glacial(Mallinckrodt)
- AgNO3 (Sigma)
- CH3COOH(Mallinckrodt)
- Formaldehyde solution(Mallinckrodt)
- HCHO(Mallinckrodt)
- Mini-Protean II apparatus(Bio-Rad Laboratories)
