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A9539

Sigma-Aldrich

Agarose

BioReagent, for molecular biology, low EEO

Synonym(s):

3,6-Anhydro-α-L-galacto-β-D-galactan, Agarose LE

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About This Item

CAS Number:
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
41105317
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.25

biological source

algae (marine)

Quality Level

grade

for molecular biology

product line

BioReagent

form

powder

technique(s)

electrophoresis: suitable

impurities

≤10% moisture content

EEO

0.09-0.13

transition temp

gel point 36 °C ±1.5 °C (1.5% gel)

gel strength

≥1200 g/cm2 (1% gel)

anion traces

sulfate (SO42-): ≤0.15%

suitability

suitable for electrophoresis
suitable for molecular biology

foreign activity

DNase, RNase, none detected

InChI

1S/C24H38O19/c25-1-5-9(27)11(29)12(30)22(38-5)41-17-8-4-36-20(17)15(33)24(40-8)43-18-10(28)6(2-26)39-23(14(18)32)42-16-7-3-35-19(16)13(31)21(34)37-7/h5-34H,1-4H2/t5-,6-,7+,8+,9+,10+,11+,12-,13+,14-,15+,16-,17-,18+,19+,20+,21-,22+,23+,24+/m1/s1

InChI key

MJQHZNBUODTQTK-WKGBVCLCSA-N

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General description

Agarose is a natural polysaccharide isolated from the seaweed genera Gelidium and Gracilaria. Structurally, it is a linear polymer consisting of alternating D-galactose and 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose units.

Application

Agarose has been used:

  • in gel electrophoresis to analyze the integrity of DNA
  • to prepare hydrocolloid gels and study the structural influence of gels on the release of carbohydrates
  • in gel electrophoresis to analyze the integrity of RNA
  • it is suitable for protein applications such as Ouchterlony and radial immunodiffusion (RID)

Biochem/physiol Actions

Agarose serves as a gelling agent and is extensively used in molecular biology research to separate and analyze nucleic acids by gel electrophoresis or blotting (Northern or Southern). During gelation, agarose polymers combine non-covalently resulting in a network of bundles whose pore sizes decide a gel′s molecular sieving properties. The type and the concentration of agarose influence the rate of migration of a DNA molecule through a gel. However, agarose also has attractive features that bring about a strong interest in its usage in biological applications. It is known to mimic the extracellular matrix which makes it an excellent biomaterial for tissue engineering applications. Due to its great water uptake capability agarose is suitable for cell-encapsulation. Agarose allows regulated permeation for oxygen and nutrients and is useful in cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation. Agarose is used in controlled/localized drug delivery and regenerative medicine, such as neurogenesis, angiogenesis, spermatogenesis, cartilage formation, bone regeneration, wound healing, and artificial pancreas.

Features and Benefits

  • Biocompatible
  • Agarose gels have larger pore sizes than polyacrylamide gels at low concentrations
  • Unlike polyacrylamide, the consistency of the gels is more solid (but also less elastic)
  • Possesses low ethidium bromide and SYBR Green background staining

Analysis Note

The following is a list of properties associated with our agaroses:
Sulfate content - used as an indicator of purity, since sulfate is the major ionic group present.
Gel strength - the force that must be applied to a gel to cause it to fracture.
Gel point - the temperature at which an aqueous agarose solution forms a gel as it cools. Agarose solutions exhibit hysteresis in the liquid-to-gel transition - that is, their gel point is not the same as their melting temperature.
Electroendosmosis (EEO) - a movement of liquid through the gel. Anionic groups in an agarose gel are affixed to the matrix and cannot move, but dissociable counter cations can migrate toward the cathode in the matrix, giving rise to EEO. Since electrophoretic movement of biopolymers is usually toward the anode, EEO can disrupt separations because of internal convection.

Other Notes

For additional information on our range of Biochemicals, please complete this form.

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 1

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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The pattern of RNA integrity and the expression of housekeeping genes are influenced by sodium hypochlorite and ascorbic acid
Begum S, et al.
American Journal of Stem Cells, 12(1), 12-12 (2023)
Release of glucose and maltodextrin DE 2 from gellan gum gels and the impacts of gel structure
Kanyuck KM, et al.
Food Hydrocolloids, 122, 107090-107090 (2022)
Agarose-based biomaterials for tissue engineering
Zarrintaj P, et al.
Carbohydrate Polymers, 187, 66-84 (2018)
Stephen AM and Phillips GO
Food Sci. Technol., 160 (2006)
Lea I Mikkola et al.
PLoS genetics, 15(7), e1008197-e1008197 (2019-07-20)
Canine hip dysplasia is a common, non-congenital, complex and hereditary disorder. It can inflict severe pain via secondary osteoarthritis and lead to euthanasia. An analogous disorder exists in humans. The genetic background of hip dysplasia in both species has remained

Protocols

The GenElute™ Blood Genomic DNA Kit Protocol provides a simple and convenient way to isolate pure genomic DNA from fresh or aged whole blood.

The GenElute™ Blood Genomic DNA Kit Protocol provides a simple and convenient way to isolate pure genomic DNA from fresh or aged whole blood.

The GenElute™ Blood Genomic DNA Kit Protocol provides a simple and convenient way to isolate pure genomic DNA from fresh or aged whole blood.

The GenElute Mammalian Genomic DNA Purification Kit Protocol describes the isolation of pure, high molecular weight DNA from a variety of mammalian sources.

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