I'm thinking of implementing a policy in my lab, not to reheat prestained (EtBr) agarose gels as it could fumigate EtBr in the whole lab. Could someone advise me of the appropriateness? While EtBr is a known mutagen, there were no reports till now that it is a carcinogen (tens of thousands of scientists use it routinely yet I:ve never heard someone getting cancer from this salt ; well, at least no such association in literature). If you reheat agarose containing EtBr, will it escape and spread the whole lab?
I'm not afraid EtBr at all. As you indicated it is not a carcinogen. If there is any data how it can change the DNA sequence, I will be glad to read about it. This is actually weird, that people are wearing two pairs of gloves in case of EtBr are not afraid of IPTG at all...
I can only second this. I also wouldn't worry too much about getting it into the air, because it will not evaporate easily. What could cause problems are aerosols. Otherwise prepare your gels without them (in the amount you need) and then add EtBr afterwards.
There are many superstitions about mutagenic potency of EtBr, this panic is increasing recently. I find a strong correlation between the number of new "healthy" replacements of EtBr and the panic level. The companies have to earn money...
The main question about this replacements is, if they are really less dangerous. They all have to bind to DNA, so they are all potential trouble makers.
No matter what the prevailing theorey is, there are numerous people that will freak out with EtBr. To preserve sanity in your lab, and avoid mass hysteria, it is highly advisable that the aerosol is avoided - just to keep everyone happy.
1. Cover the flask when heating with a filter paper and foil (loosely). Common sense there.
2. Do the heating in the fume hood. Common sense again.
3. And ban the practice of making batches of agarose and reheating in the first place. Is it so time consuming to make a fresh solution of agarose? I mean, the time it takes to heat and re-melt the agarose, wait for it to cool and pour, is no different AT ALL from weighing out agarose, boiling it and cooling it for pouring.
There is no saving of anything !! So much better than worrying about bacterial growth, improperly melted agarose, etc etc.
My 2 cents !
Hi, sorry but I'm a little confused. You say "re-heat". Do you mean that people in your lab allow un-used agarose to cool and set when they pour a gel, and you are wondering if it is safe to re-melt it?.. in the lab I am in, each researcher has a solution of EtBr+ Agarose in a flask. The flasks are kept in a 55C incubator and the agarose remains liquid. We use the stock to pour a gel about 1/2 an hour before it is used.
Article Are other fluorescent tags used instead of ethidium bromide safer?
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Microbiology