Hi Mary, This sort of thing regularly pops up on the diybio.org mailing list. For example, some results for "safe alternative" in the archives: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/diybio/%22safe$20alternative
I've experimented with Crystal Violet staining methods but not yet "in-gel", and I've had variable results. Sometimes it works quite well, other times not at all. I've used safe-view from nbsbio.co.uk with a blue/orange excitation/filter set (specifically, the pearlbiotech.com kit) and it works quite well, although I imagine sensitivity would be a lot better with UV. Really the best one is probably sybr-safe if you want an off-the-shelf solution: I used to shun Sybr-safe because I thought it could only be purchased from the manufacturer at huge markup and with a bad attitude to home labs, but I've since seen it sold for reasonable prices through educational suppliers. Given that my electrophoresis rig is designed with this stain in mind, I might go for it soon. Other chemical substitutions are frequently discussed for safety, cost or availability on DIYbio. Most of the suggestions are backed by literature or personal experience, rather than conjecture. If it's a subject that interests you, you might consider joining that list? :) On 19 August 2011 12:29, Mary <[email protected]> wrote: > I want to locate a website where I can search for safer alternatives > to chemicals usd in molecular biology eg ethidium bromide etc, does > one exist? > _______________________________________________ > Methods mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.bio.net/biomail/listinfo/methods > -- letters.cunningprojects.com twitter.com/onetruecathal http://www.indiebiotech.com _______________________________________________ Methods mailing list [email protected] http://www.bio.net/biomail/listinfo/methods
