Agarose for DNA and RNA Gel Electrophoresis
Agarose covers the polysaccharide powder used to cast gel matrices for horizontal DNA and RNA electrophoresis, available in standard, low-melting-point, and high-resolution formulations for different applications. Standard agarose at 0.7% to 2% handles most routine DNA fragment analysis; high-resolution formulations at 2–4% resolve small fragments more clearly; and low-melting-point agarose supports in-gel enzyme reactions and nucleic acid recovery directly from gel slices. Academic and core laboratories selecting or restocking agarose can benefit from guidance when choosing the appropriate formulation and gel concentration for their fragment size range and downstream applications.
Explore available agarose products or request a quotation by contacting customerservice@mbpinc.net. Our team can help identify the appropriate agarose formulation and gel conditions for your nucleic acid electrophoresis workflow.
Agarose
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What is agarose for gel electrophoresis?
Agarose is a linear polysaccharide derived from agar that, when dissolved in hot buffer and allowed to cool, forms a porous gel matrix whose pore size is determined by the agarose concentration. DNA and RNA molecules migrate through this matrix under an electric field at a rate inversely related to their size, allowing fragments of different lengths to be separated and visualized as distinct bands.
What you will find:
- Azura Agarose for routine electrophoresis of nucleic acids with low electroendosmosis (EEO) performance
- Benchmark Agarose for PCR product analysis and high-quality nucleic acid separation
- Benchmark Specialty Agarose for specialized gel applications requiring enhanced resolution and performance control
- Standard Agarose for routine use in gel electrophoresis workflows
- EZ Pack™ Agarose Tablets for agarose concentration control and convenient gel preparation
How to choose agarose type and concentration
Use standard agarose at 0.7–1% for routine PCR and restriction digest checks on larger fragments
A 0.7–1% standard agarose gel is commonly used for routine PCR product verification and restriction digest analysis when fragments are generally in the 1–10 kb size range.
Use 1.5–2% standard agarose for resolving smaller fragments in the 200 bp–2 kb range
Higher agarose concentrations from 1.5% to 2% are appropriate for resolving smaller PCR products, SNP genotyping amplicons, or restriction digests where size differences below 500 bp need to be clearly distinguished.
Use high-resolution agarose at 2–4% for very small fragments or close sizing
High-resolution agarose formulations can differentiate closely sized DNA fragments in the 50–500 bp range more effectively than standard agarose, making them useful for applications such as microsatellite or STR analysis.
Choose low-melting-point agarose when you need to recover DNA from gel slices
Low-melting-point (LMP) agarose can be melted at approximately 65°C after electrophoresis, allowing DNA-containing gel slices to be processed more easily for downstream enzymatic reactions or purification workflows.
Confirm agarose purity (EEO grade) for sensitive applications
Electro-endosmosis (EEO) reflects agarose purity. Low-EEO agarose supports more consistent DNA migration and helps minimize contaminants that may interfere with downstream PCR amplification, restriction digestion, or other enzymatic applications.
Specifications context
Standard agarose gels are typically prepared by dissolving agarose powder in TAE or TBE buffer through heating, followed by cooling to approximately 55°C before pouring into casting trays. Higher-concentration gels solidify more rapidly and generally benefit from prompt casting.
As of 2026, low-EEO agarose grades remain the preferred choice for sensitive applications such as Southern blotting, gel extraction followed by PCR, and restriction enzyme digestion workflows where contaminants can inhibit downstream reactions.
Contact the expert team and get premium agarose gel for your research today.
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