The following protocol covers the basics of pouring an agarose gel and running a DNA product.
Protocol
Choose the concentration of agarose appropriate for the DNA you are trying to separate. In general, a 1% gel will work fine.
Gel concentration based on DNA size
Mix Agarose into TAE to get the appropriate concentration and volume depending upon tray size. Use Low EEO grade agarose. It is possible to just use TE also.
Microwave the mixture. Generally 1 minute for every 100 ml.
Remove from microwave and let cool slightly
Add Ethidium Bromide to gel at a concentration of 0.5 µg/ml
Allow gel to cool more. If it is too hot, the seals on the gel tray will leak.
Pour Agarose into gel tray and place combs at appropriate distances.
Let cool until hardened.
Place gel tray in running box and cover gel with TAE.
Load wells with DNA mixed with loading dye. Load one well with a DNA ladder. Generally small wells hold up to 20 µl, while larger wells hold up to 50 µl
Cover electrophoresis chamber and plug into a power box. Turn on power generally at 100 to 300 volts (supposed to have 1 to 5 V/cm of gel, measuring length of gel from anode to cathode). IF the power is too high, the gel will melt.
Watch gel and turn off power based on how far the loading dye has travelled.
Note: If you forget to put Ethidium bromide in the gel, the gel can be bathed in TAE containing Ethidium bromide for 20 minutes and then imaged.