I want to store SDS-PAGE gels that have already run. I have gone trough some methods like drying it. I want to get to know about various other methods to store gels.
It is also possible to store them into milliQ (or tap) water. Just pay attention not to let them dry, since they could crack. I stored a lot gels in these conditions for more than one year. Anyway, I prefer to take a picture (with a camera or a scanner): I think this is the best way you can store SDS PAGE gels
There are two best ways to store the gels which I have used.
1. Store in 1% acetic acid in water.: Keep the gel in a plastic bag of appropriate size and seal the bag. Inject the 1% acetic acid solution from one corner and remove the air bubbles and seal the corner again. You can store the gels this way for more than 1 year by keeping the gel packs in a box in the fridge or cold room.
2. Vacuum drying on a Watmann filter paper: This needs an equipment called gel dryer which uses the vacuum to dry the gels. This is the most efficient way to store the gels and you can directly paste the dried gel in you lab book or store in an office folder forever. You just need to place washed gel on the blotting paper in the dryer and start the dryer.
http://www.bio-rad.com/en-us/category/protein-electrophoresis-blotting/gel-drying-equipment
After staining and destaining, the gel can be stored in water for a long time but the gel will swell (easily breakable) and distort with time. So, instead the gel can be stored in 20% glycerol instead of pure water to prevent this.
Ref: Sambrook and Russell Molecular Cloning a Laboratory Manual
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