When loading a gel, the volume you set your pipette at depends on the volume of sample you need to load into each well. There isn’t a specific volume that you should always set your pipette to because it varies based on factors such as the size of the wells, the concentration of your samples, and the resolution required for your experiment.
However, it’s essential to choose a volume that allows you to load an appropriate amount of sample into each well without overloading or underloading. Overloading can cause smearing or distortion of bands, while underloading may result in faint or undetectable bands.
Typically, for standard gel electrophoresis, microliter volumes ranging from 1 µL to 10 µL are common for loading samples into each well. It’s crucial to calibrate your pipette to dispense the desired volume accurately and consistently.
Before loading your gel, you should determine the volume of sample you want to load into each well based on factors such as the concentration of your samples and the desired resolution of your experiment. Then, set your pipette to the appropriate volume for consistent and accurate loading.
