There are a few potential reasons for air bubbles in your gel. One common cause is improper mixing of the gel solution, which can introduce air into the mixture. Another possibility is that the gel was poured too quickly, causing air to become trapped. Make sure to mix the gel solution gently and pour it slowly to avoid air bubbles.
Plugs in a gel can form due to a few factors, such as the gel being too hot or too cold, improper mixing, or using an expired or contaminated gel solution. To prevent plugs, make sure to mix the gel solution thoroughly and at the correct temperature. Additionally, regularly check the expiration date and store the gel solution properly.
An uneven ladder may be caused by the gel being poured at an angle, which can cause the samples to run unevenly. Make sure to pour the gel straight and level to prevent this issue. Additionally, using too much sample or overloading the wells can also result in an uneven ladder.
Smearing in a gel can be caused by a few factors, such as using too much sample, an uneven gel surface, or improper loading technique. To troubleshoot this issue, try reducing the amount of sample loaded and make sure to load the samples evenly across the wells. You can also try adjusting the voltage or run time to improve resolution.
If your gel is not running properly, there could be a few potential issues. The most common causes are an incorrect buffer or gel concentration, expired or contaminated reagents, or an issue with the power supply. Check that all reagents are within their expiration date and properly stored, and make sure the power supply is functioning correctly. If the problem persists, try making a new gel with fresh reagents.