**4.1 Buffer tank**

The anti-U-shaped structure is not always necessary in buffer tank. Basically, a structure of an electrophoresis tank can be much more simple, and we can make it by do-it-yourself (DIY) (**Figure 9**).

#### **Figure 8.**

*A horizontal view of typical buffer tank for agarose gel electrophoresis.*

*Cost-Effective Technical Tips for Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of Deoxyribonucleic Acid DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93439*

#### **Figure 9.**

A low concentration of ions in the buffer results in higher resistance in an electric circuit, which leads to heating of the buffer. Therefore, too much dilution of

There is so much commercial equipment for agarose gel electrophoresis, but unfortunately, they are rather expensive for its purpose; for example, tens of electrophoresis tanks are needed at a time in students' practice, but it is sometimes difficult to buy so many tanks at a time. One of the major reasons of this higher cost is that platinum is used as electrodes in the tank. Platinum is a precious and noble metal, which is very stable and never degraded in electrolysis. The second reason is that the buffer tank of the equipment has a special shape. Generally, the bottom face of the buffer tank has an anti-U-shaped structure (**Figure 8**). The third reason is that the equipment is sold with the special power supply. It seems that no electrophoresis is available without the manufacturer's specified power supply.

The anti-U-shaped structure is not always necessary in buffer tank. Basically, a structure of an electrophoresis tank can be much more simple, and we can make it

the buffer might result in boiling of buffer and melting of agarose gel.

*Analytical Chemistry - Advancement, Perspectives and Applications*

**4. Equipment**

*Agarose gel electrophoresis with 0.5% TAE.*

**Figure 7.**

**4.1 Buffer tank**

**Figure 8.**

**176**

by do-it-yourself (DIY) (**Figure 9**).

*A horizontal view of typical buffer tank for agarose gel electrophoresis.*

*DIY buffer tank for agarose gel electrophoresis. Note that the basket has a flat bottom, unlike a standard commercial buffer tank.*
