Skip to main content
English | Français

All Results

Which Electrophoresis Kit Is Right for You?

Use this companion guide to compare kit characteristics so you can prepare yourself and your lab accordingly.

Electrophoresis of DNA is a fundamental technique in biotechnology that covers a variety of subject material on the structure and function of DNA. Carolina makes the study of electrophoresis attainable for any classroom by offering a number of kits that include valuable teacher resources.

Use this guide to compare kit characteristics so you can prepare yourself and your lab accordingly. No matter what your needs are, we have the right kit for you. If you already use Carolina kits, you might discover a new kit to try with your students!

Type of Samples # of Samples Restriction Digest Required Type of Enzyme Restriction Type of Stain Equipment Included
Beginner Kits
Exploring Electrophoresis of Dyes dyes 6 none none
Best for teaching: The Principles of Electrophoresis.
Scenario: Use dyes and subject them to electrophoresis to determine their relative size.
Exploring Electrophoresis and Forensics Kit DNA 4 none CarolinaBLU
Best for teaching: The Principles of DNA Fingerprinting.
Scenario: Analysis of crime scene whereby DNA evidence is collected from the crime scene, victim and two suspects.
Exploring Electrophoresis of DNA DNA 3 none CarolinaBLU
Best for teaching: Demonstrate the action of restriction enzymes on DNA.
Scenario: Analyze banding pattern of pre-digested DNA when compared to uncut DNA samples after electrophoresis.
Introductory Gel Electrophoresis dyes 8 none none
Best for teaching: The Principles of Electrophoresis.
Scenario: Use dyes and subject them to electrophoresis to determine their relative size.
Type of Samples # of Samples Restriction Digest Required Type of Enzyme Restriction Type of Stain Equipment Included
Intermediate Kits
Nature’s Dice – A Genetic Screening Simulation DNA 24 lyophilized CarolinaBLU
Best for teaching: Mendelian genetics and inheritance, using molecular biology.
Scenario: Perform and analyze a genetic screen on a fictitious family tree. Discover either an Autosomal Recessive or Sex Linked Trait.
Exploring Restriction Analysis and Electrophoresis of DNA DNA 4 lyophilized CarolinaBLU
Best for teaching: Demonstrate the action of restriction enzymes on DNA.
Scenario: Setup restriction digests of lambda DNA using three different enzymes. Separate the digested samples by electrophoresis and analyze.
Restriction Enzyme and DNA DNA 4 lyophilized CarolinaBLU & GelGreen
Best for teaching: Restriction Analysis of Bacteriophage DNA.
Scenario: Lambda DNA is digested using three separate enzymes and analyzed.
DNA Restriction Analysis DNA 4 wet CarolinaBLU & Ethidium Bromide
Best for teaching: Restriction Analysis of Bacteriophage DNA.
Scenario: Lambda DNA is digested using three separate enzymes and analyzed.
Restriction Mapping of Plasmid DNA DNA 4 none CarolinaBLU
Best of teaching: Restriction Mapping of a Plasmid using DNA fragments.
Scenario: Use restriction analysis to piece together a plasmid map from digested DNA fragments.
PCR Forensics Simulation DNA 6 none CarolinaBLU
Best for teaching: Demonstrating the concepts of DNA fingerprinting and PCR.
Scenario: Use a real world scenario to solve a crime by analyzing two loci in a DNA fingerprint.
Outbreak! Fingerprinting Virus DNA DNA 3 none CarolinaBLU
Best for teaching: DNA Analysis of fictional virus.
Scenario: Play the roles of epidemiologists and identify an unknown virus strain using electrophoresis and fragment analysis.
Restriction Enzyme Cleavage of DNA DNA 3 none CarolinaBLU
Best for teaching: Concepts of electrophoresis and restriction enzymes.
Scenario: Perform an electrophoresis with predigested samples with respective enzymes and analyze results. Determine fragment size, calculate relative mobility and use drylabs in this classic lab.
Fast Gels DNA 6 none CarolinaBLU
Best for teaching: Electrophoresis in 15 minutes, using a real world scenario!
Scenario: Choose from two impactful scenarios: Fish DNA fingerprinting or Colon Cancer Testing.
Type of Samples # of Samples Restriction Digest Required Type of Enzyme Restriction Type of Stain Equipment Included
Advanced Kits
Forensic DNA Fingerprinting DNA 4 wet CarolinaBLU & GelGreen
Best for teaching: Advanced techniques in forensic DNA fingerprinting and analysis.
Scenario: Perform plasmid isolation, restriction analysis and electrophoresis of samples taken from a “crime scene” then compare the DNA profiles for a match.
Restriction Mapping of Lambda DNA DNA 3 wet CarolinaBLU
Best for teaching: Restriction Mapping of Lambda DNA using restriction enzymes.
Scenario: Assemble a map of the lambda virus using fragments of DNA digested with three different restriction enzymes.

3 things to consider before you purchase electrophoresis kit(s)

1. What equipment do I already have available?

Before performing electrophoresis, consider what type of equipment (if any) you have available. Whether you have equipment from our biotechnology line or none at all, we have a kit for your classroom. Look for a checkmark in the “Equipment Included” column.

  • All of the electrophoresis kits we sell are compatible with our biotechnology equipment.
  • Our Exploring Electrophoresis kits include all of the equipment and materials to run an electrophoresis.

2. Which electrophoresis topics do I want to teach?

Our labs cover numerous topics within electrophoresis, including the basic principles of electrophoresis, restriction enzymes, DNA fingerprinting, and PCR. Kits may include a combination of these subjects. Check out the “Best for teaching” recommendation.

3. What skill level are my students?

Consider both skill level and appropriateness of subject matter when choosing a kit. For instance, if your class has loaded undigested DNA and run an electrophoresis, but has not performed a restriction digest, choosing a kit that requires students to piece together a plasmid map from DNA fragments will not be a good fit. A kit that requires you to run pre-digested samples and discuss the action of restriction enzymes on DNA would be an appropriate kit to develop your students’ skills. Look for kits in the appropriate skill level section for your class.

Kit scenarios

You may also want to consider the investigative scenario demonstrated in each kit. Many of our kits offer real-world scenarios. Students can play a forensic scientist recreating a crime scene, an epidemiologist investigating the origin of a virus, or a medical professional tracking heritable diseases, to name a few. Using this criterion can be especially helpful when you’re covering cross-curricular concepts–a forensics class with the crime scene scenario, for instance, or a statistics class with the epidemiological scenario.

Choosing the right type of DNA stain has implications on the equipment you’ll use, and more importantly, your and your students’ safety. Carolina offers ethidium bromide-free alternatives such as the CarolinaBLU™ and GelGreen™ dyes that use a white light box and LED blue transilluminators, respectively.

Check out our free video resources for a how-to guide on preparing and pouring a gel and loading a gel for electrophoresis.

PIGNAT installation at Sheridan College

PIGNAT engineer Régis Rodriguez spent 2 days in Sheridan College last week to train the Chemical Engineering Technology department on their new equipment:

  • a mixed adsorption unit EDM/2000 (picture on the left)
  • a stirred liquid-liquid extraction unit ELA/2000 (picture on the right)

Storage and Disposal of Preserved Specimens

Easy. Reliable. Secure.

Many dissection labs can spread across multiple class periods and days at a time. Whether you’re looking to preserve specimens for only a few months or a much longer period, Carolina has you covered.

Vacuum-packed specimens

Vacuum-packed specimens are stored in vacuum-sealed, leak-proof plastic barrier bags. Specimens are offered as either single-packed (one specimen per bag) or bulk-packed (more than one specimen per bag). Single-packed bags are easy to distribute to students in small groups, while bulk-packed bags are ideal for teachers looking to use more than one specimen at once. Quantity discounts are only available for bulk-packed bags. 

In order to retain moisture of the specimens and fend off mold growth, Carolina’s Wetting Solution can be used between dissection labs. After spraying specimens with the solution, they can be returned to the vacuum-sealed bags and sealed with clips or rubber bands. This bag can be placed within a second resealable bag for added protection.

Disposal Methods

Disposal of specimens has never been easier than with Carolina’s Perfect Solution®. However, before disposing of any specimens or fluids, it is advised to contact local waste or wastewater authorities to confirm that the disposal procedure is acceptable at your school. It is also important to address disposal with a supervisor if your school contains its own septic system or aerobic waste treatment system.

Specimens stored in Carolina’s Perfect Solution® can generally be disposed of in a school’s regular waste. These specimens do not fall under hazardous waste and do not pose a biohazardous threat. It is recommended to double bag any specimens that are being disposed of as an additional precaution.

Fluids involved in pails containing Carolina’s Perfect Solution® can be put down the sink and washed down with lots of water. The fluid is not classified as chemical waste.

It is still important to wear appropriate PPE when disposing of Carolina specimens and fluids, including gloves, an apron, and splash goggles, and to work in a well ventilated area.

 

SPARKvue is now completely free as a browser-based application!

We’re excited to announce SPARKvue is now available free of charge on all your devices as a browser-based application.

This new version of our software as a Progressive Web Application (PWA) means you have free access to all the features of SPARKvue from Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers. That’s right: No download fees, subscription fees, or update fees, even for Windows® and Mac®. Plus, the app is always updated to the latest version automatically, so you never have to worry about it.

Access SPARKvue from your Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browser from any device–online or offline–and start collecting data with three simple steps:

  1. Open Browser
  2. Download SPARKvue
  3. Connect PASCO Sensors

Try SPARKvue in your browser today!

Watch the video below to get started:

SPARKvue PWA video

Play Video

SPARKvue (PWA) is designed for use on laptops, computers, and Chromebooks. To download SPARKvue for your iPhone or iPad, download the free SPARKvue app on the App Store. For Android devices, get SPARKvue on Google Play. Skip to the article section, Free Apps for Android and iOS Devices, for links to download SPARKvue to your mobile device.

System Requirements

Windows
  • Windows 10 or later
  • Processor: Intel i3 1st Gen (or equivalent) or later
  • RAM: 4GB or greater
  • Disk Space: 349 MB
  • Resolution: 1024 x 768 or higher
Mac
  • Mac OS v 10.14 or later
  • Processor: Intel i3 1st Gen (or equivalent) or later, or Apple M1 (using Rosetta 2)
  • RAM: 2 GB or greater
  • Disk Space: 504 MB
  • Resolution: 1024 x 768 or higher
Chromebook
  • It is recommended to be on the latest OS the machine supports
iOS
  • iOS v13 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Android
  • Android v7.1 or later. Compatible with tablets or phones.

Manuals

Support

Resources

Free Apps for Chromebook, Android, and iOS Devices

These free SPARKvue apps provide the complete software install so that the user experience is the same regardless of platform. Updates for these apps are handled via direct notification and installation on your device, including SPARK LX/LXi users.

Chromebook Devices

Get SPARKvue for Chrome OS devices in the Chrome Web Store.

Chrome Web Store

Android Devices

Get SPARKvue for Android based phones & tablets on Google Play.

Google Play Store

iOS Devices

Get SPARKvue for Apple iPhones & iPads in the App Store.

Apple App Store

Sideloading on Android

Android users who do not have access to Google Play may optionally sideload the application by downloading the SPARKvue APK and following this Knowledge Base article. This includes updating SPARKvue on PASCO’s SPARK LXi/LX Dataloggers.

Need the 64-bit installers for Windows and Mac for a local installation? Click here.

In-app Updates for Windows® and Mac® Computers

Existing users of SPARKvue on Windows and Mac computers may update to the latest version using the in-app update feature. Simply launch the SPARKvue application and choose “Check for Updates” from the file menu to get started.

Why Carolina Perfect Solution® Specimens?

Safe. Quality. Convenient.

Carolina’s commitment to providing the highest quality specimens has led to Carolina’s Perfect Solution, a unique and revolutionary fixative that is improving the conditions of lab dissections. 

  • No formalin odour
  • Natural texture and colour
  • Non toxic 
  • No ventilation required
  • Regular garbage disposal  

See the difference between Perfect Solution Specimens and Traditional Specimens.

No need to compromise

Provide your students with higher quality preserved specimens, and an enhanced dissection experience while also increasing the safety of the learning environment. Carolina’s Perfect Solution is a great alternative to traditional formaldehyde-preserved specimens.

Carolinas Perfect Solution offers multiple injection options which alters the number of colours visible in the specimens. These injections are useful in helping students better understand the anatomy of specimens. For beginner level students, a plain injection may be best. There are also latex injections that are used for a more enhanced study, with different colour options. Single injection highlights red arteries, double injection highlights red arteries and blue veins, and triple injection includes red arteries, blue veins, and yellow hepatic systems. Vivid colours allow for easy identification of internal tissues, organs, and systems.

Our goal is to provide the best and safest preserved specimens available. Carolina’s unique preservation method provides slow firming action that results in more life-like tissues and organs with natural colours and texture. Tissues are pliable and easy to dissect. Perfect Solution specimens last just as long as formalin specimens, and refrigeration is not required for long term storage, they can be kept at room temperature out of direct sunlight. In addition, no harmful chemicals such as glutaraldehyde are used in the fixing process (common in traditional formalin specimens).

Independent, certified laboratory analysis of specimens fixed in Carolina’s Perfect Solution have found them to be nontoxic and free of dangerous off-gassing. Classrooms and labs using these specimens do not require specialized ventilation. However, some active ventilation is recommended when working with any preserved specimens or chemicals. Due to the safe nature of Carolina’s Perfect Solution, there are no mandated disposal requirements. Be sure to check with local sewer and landfill authorities, as procedures may vary. 

Which Bullfrog Would You Rather Dissect?

Carolina’s Perfect Solution® Specimen

  • Vivid colours allow for easy identification of internal tissues, organs, and systems
  • Expertly injected to facilitate studies of the circulatory system
  • Tissues are pliable and easy to dissect

 

PIGNAT’s Refrigeration Cycle Unit at University of Windsor

PIGNAT’s Technical Specialist, Regis Rodriguez was at University of Windsor at the end of May to install a recently purchased Refrigeration Cycle Unit. He also provided a day-long training session to graduate students, instructors, and professors. Everyone in attendance found it very informative and was excited to start using the equipment. Click here to find out more about this unit.

In the past, several PASCO, Tecquipment and Elettronica Veneta equipment have also been purchased by the University from AYVA.

How does the PASCO Smart Cart Compare to the Vernier Go Direct® Sensor Cart?

Smart Cart Comparison Banner

How does the PASCO Smart Cart Compare to the Vernier Go Direct® Sensor Cart?

The Smart Cart may appear to be equivalent to competitors like Vernier’s Go Direct Sensor Cart–they include many of the same features and specifications–but several distinctions set the PASCO Smart Cart apart.

What’s the Same?

Both Measure:

  • Position
  • Velocity
  • Acceleration
  • Force

Both Feature:

  • Wireless software connection
  • Use on or off a track
  • Plunger

Both Include:

  • USB Cable
  • Rubber Bumper
  • Hook

What’s Different?

PASCO Includes More

The PASCO Smart Cart comes with both hook and loop and magnetic bumpers. The magnetic bumper attaches to the force sensor, enabling you to measure the impulse during a collision. You must order bumpers separately for the Vernier sensor cart.

Smart Cart Callout

Why?

PASCO’s design makes it easy to launch the cart at 1x, 2x, and 3x velocities. With F, 2F, and 3F settings built-in to the Smart Cart, students can spend more time gathering data and solving for unknown variables and less time fiddling with cart settings.

This is important because you want to do more collisions, and with included bumpers, you can. Use the hook and loop tabs for inelastic collisions, magnetic bumper for elastic collisions, or unscrew the magnet and replace it with the rubber bumper for harder impacts.

 

Simple to Use Plunger

The Smart Cart plunger easily clicks into 3 different settings that correlate proportionally to 1, 2, and 3 units of force. By simply pressing the plunger to your desired setting, you can easily launch the Smart Cart at three different velocities that correlate to 1F, 2F, or 3F. Vernier’s plunger does not click into distinct velocity settings. What’s more, the total range of force on the Vernier cart is smaller than the range available to the Smart Cart, as you can only increase the force on the Vernier cart up to 1.3x.

Why?

PASCO’s design makes it easy to launch the cart at 1x, 2x, and 3x velocities. With F, 2F, and 3F settings built-in to the Smart Cart, students can spend more time gathering data and solving for unknown variables and less time fiddling with cart settings.

Larger Load Cell Capacity

PASCO’s Smart Cart load cell capacity is ±100N, double that of Vernier’s cart which is ±50N.

Why?

A larger load cell capacity means students are less likely to damage the sensor. Measure larger impulses and create collisions with higher impact. Since the sensor can withstand 100N, it is less likely to break during a tug-of-war demonstration of Newton’s 3rd Law.

Smart Cart Rubber Band Experiment

Sealed & Protected Encoder Wheel

PASCO’s encoder wheel is internal and connects to the axle of an existing wheel. Vernier’s encoder wheel is an exposed 5th wheel on the underside of their Sensor Cart.

Why?

A built-in optical encoder wheel means it is sealed and protected from everyday student use. It won’t fall victim to dust, grime, or student abuse, ensuring your data is as accurate as possible for kinematics studies.

Higher Encoder Sampling Rate

PASCO’s Smart Cart encoder maximum sampling rate is 500Hz. Vernier’s rate is 30Hz.

Why?

A higher sampling rate means you can collect more data points! This is important to match a higher sampling rate of the force sensor during impulse experiments.

Smart Cart Magnetic Collision

PASCO Doesn’t Manipulate the Data!

Vernier’s software performs data smoothing automatically so it cannot be turned off completely.

Why?

You’re a science educator who wants your students to collect and graph the real data, so that’s what we give you.

3-Axis Gyro

PASCO’s 3-axis accelerometer includes a 3-axis gyro, and Vernier’s 3-axis accelerometer does not.

Why?

The gyro allows you to measure angular velocity right out of the box so you can study centripetal force.

EX-5551 Graph

No Bumper Assembly Required

No classroom management or assembly is required to ensure the magnetic bumper is the correct orientation (north and south poles) for the Smart Cart. For the Vernier cart, you must assemble all magnetic and velcro bumpers separately, and make sure the four pieces for each Vernier cart are accounted for.

Smart Cart with Mass

Why?

Fewer pieces and minimal assembly means easier setup, easier cleanup, and less items to lose–giving you more time for investigations.

 

Bluetooth Time Sync Within & Between Carts

We’ve engineered our Smart Carts to time-synchronize all on-board sensors; In other words, force data syncs with velocity data from the encoder. Further, data also syncs between multiple carts in a collision so the data from both carts lines up. Vernier’s data is out of sync, and synchronization worsens as sampling rate increases.

Why?

Dependable time sync between carts means your data and graphs correlate with the phenomenon, making it easy for your students to interpret what their data is showing.

Proportional Smart Cart Masses

The Smart Cart and masses are proportional and stackable; the Smart Cart is 250 grams and the cart masses are each 250 grams. Vernier’s cart is 286 grams and the masses are 125 grams which creates strange multiples of total mass as you add masses.

        Why?

Stackable and proportional masses create conceptual demonstrations and easier numbers to work into equations, aiding students in understanding core concepts.

Force Velocity Graph

More Accessories Available

PASCO has several add-ons that pair seamlessly with our Smart Cart’s design, including a Smart Fan, Smart Ballistic Accessory, Rod Clamp, Vector Display, and Motor. Vernier does not offer any of these accessories.

Smart Cart with Fan

ME-1244 in use

 

Why?

Do more physics! PASCO’s accessories are designed to easily attach to the Smart Cart so students can examine core physics concepts. Also, when you connect a Smart Accessory to the Smart Cart, the Smart Cart can control the accessory for customizable investigations!

 

Smart Cart Front Track

ME-1246 View from Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

With an unparalleled design and countless applications in the physics lab, the PASCO Smart Cart will undoubtedly become one of your favorite teaching tools!

Back to School Resources for Fall ’23

Fire up that printer! Charge those devices! Brew that coffee! It’s back to school season everyone, and we’re sharing our top eight tech tips and resources to help you prep like a pro.

Most PASCO sensors and interfaces don’t require any maintenance, but a quick tune-up before school starts can help prevent surprises during class time.

Relevant Resources
Knowledge Base: Updating Firmware for Wireless Sensors and Interfaces
Video: Update the Firmware on a Wireless Sensor (Capstone)
Video: Pre-lab Prep for Chromebooks (SPARKvue)

 

 

Skip the chaos of in-class software updates by making sure your class devices are running the latest versions of SPARKvue (v4.9.1) or PASCO Capstone™ (v4.6.1) software prior to starting a lab.

SPARKvue
PASCO Capstone™

 

 

Whether you use laptops, Chromebooks, or desktop computers, updating to the latest Bluetooth driver helps ensure your PASCO sensors connect reliably to classroom devices.

Relevant Resources
Knowledge Base: Wireless Sensors not Detected on Windows with PS-3500 Adapter
Video: How to Determine the Bluetooth Version of My PASCO Device
Knowledge Base: How Do I Troubleshoot Connecting a Wireless Sensor?

Check that the sensors you’ll be using this year are in working condition. Replacement parts and consumables, such as electrodes and carbon paper, can be ordered through our website or by calling us at 877-967-2726.

Replacement parts and consumables are listed on the Buying Guide tab of their respective product pages. They can also be found by using the search bar at the top of the website.

Common Consumables Replacement Parts
Coin Cell Battery Pack pH Electrode
Carbon Paper Soaker Bottle Replacement pH/ISE (5 Pack)
Field Mapper Kit Replacement Cart Axles
pH Storage Solution Replacement Jumper Clips (Modular Circuits)

 

 

Video Library

From full product guides to bite-size how-tos, the Video Library hosts a variety of media to help you maximize your PASCO solutions.

Software Help Guides

Bookmark these handy software guides for quick access to answers during class time. Each guide is fully searchable, making it easy to find step-by-step solutions for most software questions.

Knowledge Base

The Knowledge Base is a treasure trove of resources for your most specific product questions. It’s consistently updated by our Technical Support team and includes answers to all types of FAQs—both new and old!

PASCO Technical Support

When you need personalized, step-by-step guidance, reach out to Technical Support. Our friendly team members are here to help via chat, email, or phone call during business hours.

Comprehensive Materials Testing Systems for Engineering Programs

Understanding the characteristics and performance of materials, and the effects of different forces on them, is at the very heart of engineering.

To help instructors teach these notions to students, PASCO and TecQuipment both offer a wide range of systems that will provide them with direct hands-on exposure to the principals involved.

 

PASCO

PASCO’s Materials Testing System allows for the study of tension, column buckling, bending and shearing.

This system is an excellent alternative for instructors looking for cost-efficient equipment allowing them to utilize the powerful Capstone software for data collection, analysis and video syncing.

Click here to view our MTS video and sample labs

 

 

 PASCO’s Materials Testing Machine (ME-8230)
TQ’s Universal Testing Machine (SM1000)

TecQuipment

AYVA Educational Solutions also offers a complete
.
TQ’s high quality and robust machines have a
maximum load of 100kN and can be used as
stand-alone items, making it an excellent solution for
more advanced experiments.
.
These items also include impact testing apparatus
and come with a broad range of specimens, allowing
for testing on numerous materials..
 

.

.

.

 

TQ also offers an Engineering Science range of products: a system of equipment kits that covers many of the underlying mechanical engineering topics such as Forces and Moments, Vibration, Materials Testing, Mechanisms or Friction.

 

Wireless Sensors are Now Stocked in Oakville!

Here are just a few of the products currently available! If you need something quickly, please give us a call @ 877-967-2726. We can ship across Canada for delivery within a few days for all Canadian stocked items.

Also in-stock & on sale!!

Many of PASCO’s wireless sensors are now stocked in Oakville, Ontario.

Smart Carts
Red: ME-1240
Blue: ME-1241

Wireless pH Sensor
PS-3204

Wireless Light Sensor
PS-3213

Wireless Temperature Sensor
PS-3201

Wireless Sound Sensor
PS-3227

Wireless EKG Sensor
PS-3236

Wireless Spirometer
PS-3234

Wireless Force Sensor
PS-3202

Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor
PS-3228

Airlink
PS-3200

Wireless Acceleration Sensor
PS-3223

Wireless Colorimeter
PS-3215

Wireless Pressure Sensor
PS-3203

Wireless Rotary Motion Sensor
PS-3220

Wireless Temperature Link
PS-3222

Wireless Conductivity Sensor
PS-3210

 

SHARE YOUR CART