• DNA fragments can be puried from TAE and TBE agarose gels with dierent
melting points without modifying the protocol. Follow these specic directions
for gels containing ~1% agarose.
• The PureLink™ Quick Gel Extraction and PCR Purication Combo Kit has been
tested for use with the TOPO™ XL-2 Complete PCR Cloning Kit using PCR
products of up to 13 kb in size.
• Ensure that the PCR product of interest is completely separated from other DNA
fragments on the agarose gel.
• Each PureLink™ Clean-up Spin Column can purify up to 40 μg of DNA. To
purify larger amounts of DNA, use additional PureLink™ Clean-up Spin
Columns. For best results, use 1 PureLink™ Clean-up Spin Column per 10 µg of
PCR product loaded onto the gel.
1. Use a clean, sharp razor blade to cut out the section of the ~1% agarose gel
containing your desired DNA fragment.
Note: Be sure to excise the 7 kb control fragment if the control PCR product is
run on the same agarose gel.
2. Trim the gel slice by removing excess agarose surrounding the DNA fragment.
3. Weigh the gel slice containing the DNA fragment, and place the gel slice into a
1.7-mL microcentrifuge tube.
Note: The maximum amount of starting material is 400 mg of agarose per tube.
If the gel slice exceeds 400 mg, cut the gel into smaller slices of ≤400 mg. Place
additional gel slices into separate microcentrifuge tubes. During the purication
procedure (page 14), an additional PureLink™ Spin Column is required for each
extra gel slice.
4. Proceed to “Solubilize the gel slice“.
1. Add 3 volumes of Gel Solubilization Buer (L3) for every 1 volume of gel (e.g.,
add 1.2 mL Gel Solubilization Buer for a 400-mg gel slice).
2. Incubate the tube containing the gel slice for at least 10 minutes in a 50°C water
bath or heat block. Invert the tube every 3 minutes to ensure complete gel
dissolution.
3. Incubate the tube for an additional 5 minutes at 50°C after the gel slice appears
dissolved.
4. (Optional) For optimal DNA yields, add 1 gel volume isopropanol to the
dissolved gel slice (e.g., add 400 µL isopropanol for a 400-mg gel slice). Mix well.
5. Proceed to “Bind DNA“ on page 14.
Guidelines for gel
purification
Excise and weigh
agarose gel slice
Solubilize the gel
slice
Methods
Gel purify the PCR product
TOPO™ XL-2 Complete PCR Cloning Kit User Guide
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