Description GoldBio’s Agarose LE, Molecular Biology Grade is a high-quality, low electroendosmosis agarose optimized for sharp, high-resolution nucleic acid separation. Whether you're verifying plasmid constructs, genotyping organisms, or validating cDNA synthesis, this agarose ensures crystal-clear resolution with minimal background. Its RNase- and DNase-free formulation safeguards sample integrity during gel electrophoresis, while its robust gel strength and batch-to-batch consistency make it ideal for cloning, PCR workflows, and extraction QC. Trusted across research labs for its purity and performance, Agarose LE is the reliable backbone of modern molecular biology protocols.
GoldBio Agarose LE is refined in an advanced process that excludes the use of organic solvents. The result is a cleaner end-product with significantly reduced environmental impact. Our high-purity Agarose LE produces gels with low background, and excellent clarity, helping prevent common issues like distorted or fuzzy bands. This agarose can be used for analyses of nucleic acids from 50 bp to 25 kbp, protein electrophoresis and various blotting protocols.
NOTE: 1,000 grams of agarose makes approximately 2,000 gels prepared at a 1% concentration.
Low EEO of the agarose promotes increased electrophoretic mobility, yielding improved resolution and shorter run times. This also allows macromolecules and larger particles (subcellular fragments, viruses, etc.) to migrate more freely through the gel matrix. The consistently low EEO reduces band distortion (caused by counterflow) that can result from the presence of excessive sulfate-rich negative ions.
Agarose is a natural product that forms an inert matrix used in electrophoresis, chromatography and other molecular biology and biochemistry techniques. Likewise, it is neutral and easily derivatizable, so it is easy to bind to its structure proteins like enzymes, antigens or antibodies. Toxicity absence makes working with agarose very convenient.
GoldBio’s Agarose LE offers a reliable, cost-effective option for academic labs, teaching labs, and research teams looking to maintain high-quality gel performance while managing rising laboratory costs. Its combination of purity, clarity, consistency, and value makes it an excellent everyday agarose for DNA gel electrophoresis.
Agarose LE Gel Applications:
Gel electrophoresis
Nucleic acid analytical and preparative electrophoresis
High electrophoresis mobility
Blotting assays
Protein electrophoresis such as radial immunodiffusion
Common Research Applications
(Click each for more information)
Nucleic Acid Electrophoresis (DNA/RNA Fragment Separation)
Purpose : To resolve and analyze nucleic acid fragments by size during gel electrophoresis.
How It Works : Agarose LE forms a porous matrix that allows DNA or RNA molecules to migrate under an electric field. Low electroendosmosis (LE) minimizes charge interference, resulting in sharp, well-separated bands.
Applications : PCR product analysis, restriction digestion checks, plasmid integrity verification, and CRISPR/Cas9 editing outcomes.
Green, M. R., & Sambrook, J. (2019). Analysis of DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols , 2019(4), pdb-prot100479.
Molecular Cloning and Plasmid Verification
Purpose : To confirm the presence, size, and structural integrity of plasmid DNA in cloning workflows.
How It Works : After transformation, plasmids are isolated, digested or PCR-amplified, and run on agarose gels to confirm successful insertions and vector configurations.
Applications : Restriction mapping, colony screening, and verification of ligation or recombination outcomes.
Engler, C., Kandzia, R., & Marillonnet, S. (2008). A one pot, one step, precision cloning method. PLOS ONE , 3(11), e3647.
DNA and RNA Quality Control (Post-Extraction)
Purpose : To assess the yield, purity, and integrity of nucleic acids following extraction from cells or tissues.
How It Works : Genomic DNA and total RNA are loaded onto an agarose gel to evaluate fragmentation or degradation. High-molecular-weight bands indicate good sample integrity.
Applications : QC prior to NGS, Southern or Northern blotting, long-read sequencing, or library preparation.
Sambrook, J., & Russell, D. W. (2001). Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (3rd ed.). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
Genotyping via PCR or Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)
Purpose : To distinguish genetic variants or alleles using gel-resolved PCR products.
How It Works : DNA is amplified using locus-specific primers or digested with restriction enzymes, and resulting fragments are separated on agarose gels to identify genotype patterns.
Applications : Genotyping mouse strains, plant lines, CRISPR mutants, and microbial isolates.
Collard, B. C. Y., & Mackill, D. J. (2008). Marker-assisted selection: an approach for precision plant breeding. Trends in Plant Science , 13(6), 236–239.
cDNA Amplification or RT-PCR Validation
Purpose : To verify cDNA synthesis success and confirm amplicon specificity after RT-PCR.
How It Works : RNA is reverse transcribed into cDNA, PCR-amplified, and visualized on an agarose LE gel to confirm expected product size and specificity.
Applications : Gene expression analysis, transcript validation, and primer design troubleshooting.
Nolan, T., Hands, R. E., & Bustin, S. A. (2006). Quantification of mRNA using real-time RT-PCR. Nature Protocols , 1(3), 1559–1582.
Benefits
High-resolution separation of DNA and RNA, critical for electrophoresis, cloning, and genotyping workflows.Reliable band clarity due to low EEO and low sulfate, aiding in cDNA validation and genotyping calls.Ensures RNA integrity with DNase- and RNase-free formulation — essential for RT-PCR and transcriptomics.Strong, consistent gels improve throughput and reduce handling errors in high-volume labs.Supports QC checkpoints throughout molecular workflows from extraction to amplification.
Technical Specifications EEO (Electroendomosis): ≤0.12Sulfate: ≤0.1%Gel Strength (1%): ≥1200 g/cm 2Gelling Temperature: 36±1.5°CMelting Temperature: 88±1.5°CDNase/RNase Activity: None DetectedDNA Resolution ≥1000 bp: Finely ResolvedGel Background: Very LowDNA Binding: Very Low
Agarose LE Features:
Extraordinary mechanical resistance for more reliable and easier handling
Excellent transparency of the gel and high visibility
Possibility of varying pore size in accordance with particle size by modifying the gel concentration
Absence of toxicity (polyacrylamide is neurotoxic)
Easy preparation of the gel by simple dilution in aqueous buffers either by standard boiling or microwaving
Greater thermal stability due to high hysteresis (difference between gelling and melting temperatures)
Below is a table to help you choose which agarose gel type is suited for your experimental needs.
The volume needed for your agarose gel depends on the size of your gel casting tray. Mini gels carried out on small trays use 40 mL agarose gel. The table below shows agarose gel tray dimensions and a corresponding volume range.
Gel Tray Dimensions (cm)
Agarose Gel Volume Range
7 x 8 cm
40 ml
9 x 11 cm
70 – 80 ml
12 x 14 cm
120 – 130 ml
VIDEO
What is an agarose gel?
What does LE in Agarose LE Mean?
What is agarose used for?
How do you prepare agarose gel/ How do you dissolve agarose?
What percent agarose gel should I use?
How do I reuse or remelt agarose gel?
Agarose is a polysaccharide that comes from red seaweed and has been processed in such a way that agaropectin has been removed. In molecular biology, this separated product, known as agarose, is used to separate fragments of DNA in a process called gel electrophoresis .
The molecular composition of agarose, which sort of resembles a mesh or net, helps slow down the movement of DNA to where smaller fragments travel through the agarose gel quicker, and larger fragments travel through the agarose gel slower.
Pictured below is a rendering of how an agarose gel might look at the molecular level. To the naked eye, an agarose gel looks like a clear, gelatin material. However, at the molecular level, an agarose gel resembles more of a porous substance or mesh. The second figure is an illustration that shows how smaller molecules would easily travel through the mesh-like makeup of agarose gel, whereas larger molecules will get caught and travel slowly.
During a specific period in which the agarose gel is run, researchers will be able to distinguish larger fragments of DNA from smaller fragments of DNA by looking at how far down the agarose gel their sample moved. Those bands closest to the well, which have not moved very far, are larger fragments of DNA. By using a molecular weight marker or DNA ladder, researchers are able to measure their DNA fragment sample against a standard ladder of different DNA fragments.
The LE in Agarose LE stands for Low EEO or low electroendosmosis, which describes the electrically influenced movement of material through porous material. A low EEO, or using Agarose LE will increase mobility, reduce band distortion that is caused by counter flow, and provide better resolution. Low EEO Agarose also allows larger particles such as viruses to migrate within the matrix.
Agarose gels are used in a method called gel electrophoresis, which electrically separates DNA fragments based on size, allowing researchers to determine their specific DNA fragment.
Agarose LE Gel Applications Include:
Gel electrophoresis
Nucleic acid analytical and preparative electrophoresis
High electrophoresis mobility
Blotting assays
Protein electrophoresis such as radial immunodiffusion
Because the structure of an agarose gel, at the molecular level, is a matrix and porous, larger DNA fragments travel slowly through the gel, while smaller fragments travel quickly and therefore farther down the gel. These bands of DNA can be compared against a DNA ladder, allowing researchers to determine size.
Furthermore, understanding DNA fragment size, helps researchers validate their sample of interest. A simple example would be if a researcher knows they are looking specifically for a sample that is 1500 kilobases, but perhaps have five tubes with five different samples, the researcher can run them on an agarose gel, and then compare the samples and sizes.
You can dissolve and prepare your agarose gel with these steps:
Determine the concentration needed for your agarose gel.
Measure out the required mass of agarose LE powder.
Add the required volume of diluted TAE buffer to a flask that holds 2-4 times the volume needed for your agarose gel.
Add your measured agarose powder to your flask.
Use a magnetic stir bar to mix the solution.
Once the solution is mixed, remove the stir bar. Place the flask in a lab microwave with a loose lid over the flask or cover the flask with plastic wrap (vent the plastic wrap with a hole).
Heat the flask in the microwave in bursts of 30 seconds. Swirl your agarose mixture after each burst.
Once the agarose powder is fully dissolved and the liquid appears clear, allow it to cool until it’s safe to touch with your bare hands.
Once it is cooled, you can pour your agarose gel mixture into the gel mold with comb . Wait for the gel to cool until it solidifies.
Gently remove the comb once your gel is cooled and solidified. Then you can load your DNA.
The percent agarose gel used for electrophoresis depends on the size of DNA you’re working with. Below is a table showing what percent gel to use based on your DNA size.
Concentration (%)
DNA Size Resolution (bp)
0.5
1,000 – 25,000
0.75
800 – 12,000
1.0
500 – 10,000
1.2
400 – 7,500
1.5
200 – 3,000
2.0
50 – 1,500
An agarose gel can be reused by remelting the gel in the laboratory microwave. This helps save some money. However, it is not always advantageous to reuse your agarose gel.
Reuse your agarose gel when:
You’re just running routine gels or doing a demonstration.
It’s best not to reuse your agarose gel when:
You’re confirming findings, publishing results, cloning, sequencing, doing extractions, doing a Southern blot, or for polished work. Instead make a fresh agarose gel.
Powered by Bioz
