Product Class: Kit

Monarch® DNA Gel Extraction Kit

The S size of this product is no longer available. The entire product will be discontinued by October, 2024.

A new version of this kit is now available, featuring upgraded spin columns. Migrate to the new Monarch Spin DNA Gel Extraction Kit (NEB #T1120).


Catalog #T1020

Product Introduction

Quickly and easily purify DNA from agarose gels with high yields.

  • Elute in as little as 6 μl
  • Prevent buffer retention and salt carry-over with optimized column design
  • Save time with fast, user-friendly protocols
  • No need to monitor pH or add isopropanol
  • Buffers and columns available separately
  • Significantly less plastic used when compared with other kits 
  • Responsibly-sourced and recyclable packaging

 

Check out our Technical Note containing comprehensive insights into measuring and analyzing nucleic acids.

Featured Videos

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  • Monarch_GelExtProtocol_VideoThumb

    Monarch® DNA Gel Extraction Kit protocol

  • Monarch_GelExtTips_VideoThumb

    Tips for using the Monarch® DNA Gel Extraction Kit

  • Monarch_HowToRecycle_VideoThumb

    How to recycle your Monarch® Kit components

  • neb tv 6

    NEB® TV Ep. 6 – Sustainability

  • NEBTV_Nucleic-Acid-Purificatio_1920

    Quick Tips - How can I efficiently elute large DNA fragments from agarose gels?

  • NEBTV_Nucleic-Acid-Purificatio_1920

    Quick Tips - How do I apply my elution buffer to the Monarch® nucleic acid purification column?

  • NEBTV_Nucleic-Acid-Purificatio_1920

    Quick Tips - Why is it important to melt the agarose prior to using the Monarch® DNA Gel Extraction Kit?

Product Information

Description

The Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit rapidly and reliably purifies up to 5 μg of concentrated, high-quality DNA from agarose gels. The kit utilizes a bind/wash/elute workflow with minimal incubation and spin times. The columns ensure zero buffer retention and no carryover of contaminants, enabling elution of sample in volumes as low as 6 μl. The buffers provided have been optimized, and do not require monitoring of pH. Unlike other kits, there is no need to add isopropanol to the melted agarose prior to loading on the column, saving you a step. Eluted DNA is ready for use in restriction digests, DNA sequencing, ligation and other enzymatic manipulations. Designed with sustainability in mind, Monarch kits use significantly less plastic and responsibly-sourced, recyclable packaging


View our videos on protocols, tips, and recycling Monarch.

Monarch DNA Cleanup Column Design
Monarch DNA Cleanup Column Design
Monarch columns are designed for performance
Monarch columns are designed for performance. Monarch columns are designed without a frit, which eliminates buffer retention and the risk of carryover contamination, providing fast, worry-free DNA purification.
Monarch columns are designed without a frit, which eliminates buffer retention and the risk of carryover contamination, providing fast, worry-free DNA purification.

Advantages:
  • Elute in as little as 6 μl
  • Prevent buffer retention and salt carry-over with optimized column design
  • Save time with fast, user-friendly protocols
  • No need to monitor pH or add isopropanol
  • Buffers and columns available separately
  • Significantly less plastic used when compared with other kits
  • Responsibly-sourced and recyclable packaging

Specifications
DNA Sample Type: double-stranded DNA from agarose gels
Binding Capacity: up to 5 μg
DNA Size Range: ~50 bp to 25 kb
Typical Recovery: DNA (50 bp to 10 kb): 70–90%
DNA (11–23 kb): 50–70%
Elution Volume: ≥ 6 μl
Purity: A260/280 > 1.8
Protocol Time: 10 minutes of spin and incubation time
Compatible Downstream
Applications:		 ligation, restriction digestion, labeling and other enzymatic
manipulations, library construction and DNA sequencing.

Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit Protocol 
Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit Protocol
DNA purified from the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit is recovered with similar efficiency and purity as the leading supplier, but is more highly concentrated, facilitating its use in downstream applications
DNA purified from the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit is recovered with similar efficiency and purity as the leading supplier, but is more highly concentrated, facilitating its use in downstream applications. One microgram aliquots of a 3 kb fragment were resolved on a 1% w/v agarose gel, excised, and processed with different kits using manufacturer-specified minimum elution volumes. Values reported are the concentration and purity data determined by Nanodrop™ readings, as well as recovery calculations based on the eluted DNA concentration and recovered volume.
One microgram aliquots of a 3 kb fragment were resolved on a 1% w/v agarose gel, excised, and processed with different kits using manufacturer-specified minimum elution volumes. Values reported are the concentration and purity data determined by Nanodrop™ readings, as well as recovery calculations based on the eluted DNA concentration and recovered volume. 
Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit reproducibly recovers DNA over a broad range of molecular weights. 
Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit reproducibly recovers DNA over a broad range of molecular weights. A mixture of 7 DNA fragments ranging from 10 kb down to 0.5 kb was prepared and one-half of the mixture was resolved on a 1% gel. Each fragment was manually excised from the agarose gel and processed using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit. The entire elution of each fragment was resolved on a new gel with the remainder of the original mixture for comparison.
A mixture of 7 DNA fragments ranging from 10 kb down to 0.5 kb was prepared and one-half of the mixture was resolved on a 1% gel. Each fragment was manually excised from the agarose gel and processed using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit. The entire elution of each fragment was resolved on a new gel with the remainder of the original mixture for comparison. 
DNA purified from agarose gels using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit can be reproducibly isolated and ligated.
DNA purified from agarose gels using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit can be reproducibly isolated and ligated. Two micrograms of a 3 kb fragment with compatible ends was resolved on a 1% agarose gel, excised, and purified using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit. Samples were eluted in 20 μl and a fraction (1/4 th of total) was ligated using the Blunt/TA Ligase Master Mix (NEB #M0367 (https://www.neb.com/products/m0367-blunt-ta-ligase-master-mix) ). Representative samples from 5 replicates were resolved on a second 1% agarose gel. M is the 1 kb DNA Ladder (NEB #N3232 (https://www.neb.com/products/n3232-1-kb-dna-ladder) ).
Two micrograms of a 3 kb fragment with compatible ends was resolved on a 1% agarose gel, excised, and purified using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit. Samples were eluted in 20 μl and a fraction (1/4 th of total) was ligated using the Blunt/TA Ligase Master Mix (NEB #M0367). Representative samples from 5 replicates were resolved on a second 1% agarose gel. M is the 1 kb DNA Ladder (NEB #N3232).

 

This product is related to the following categories:
DNA Cleanup Products,
Nucleic Acid Purification Products,
This product can be used in the following applications:
PCR & Reaction Cleanup,
Nucleic Acid Purification

Properties & Usage

Features

  • Elute in as little as 6 μl
  • Prevent buffer retention and salt carry-over with optimized column design
  • Save time with fast, user-friendly protocols
  • No need to monitor pH or add isopropanol
  • Buffers and columns available separately
  • Significantly less plastic used when compared with other kits
  • Responsibly-sourced and recyclable packaging

Product Notes

  1. The kit should be stored at room temperature. Always keep buffer bottles tightly closed and keep columns sealed in the enclosed zip-lock bag. For information regarding the composition of buffers, please consult the Safety Data Sheets. Proper laboratory safety practices should be employed, including the use of lab coats, gloves and eye protection.

Protocols, Manuals & Usage

Protocols

  1. Monarch® DNA Gel Extraction Kit Protocol (NEB #T1020)

Manuals

The Product Manual includes details for how to use the product, as well as details of its formulation and quality controls.

Usage & Guidelines

Application Notes

FAQs & Troubleshooting

FAQs

  1. Can I purchase Monarch® buffers and columns separately?
  2. Can I use water to elute the DNA when using the Monarch Kits?
  3. What is the smallest volume of elution buffer that can be used with the Monarch DNA Cleanup Column?
  4. What factors affect my (A260/A230)?
  5. Are the columns in the Monarch PCR & DNA Cleanup Kit (5 μg) the same as the ones in the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit?
  6. What is the composition of each buffer provided with the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit?
  7. What is the maximum binding capacity of the Monarch DNA Cleanup Column provided in the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit?
  8. Can I excise a fragment from a gel and store it for purification at a later time?
  9. What size of DNA can be purified with the Monarch DNA Cleanup Columns?
  10. What type of agarose gels are compatible with the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit?
  11. After purification, I see a faint additional band running below the expected size on a gel. What happened?
  12. Are Monarch spin columns compatible with Vacuum Manifolds?
  13. I notice that I'm applying force to fit the column into a collection tube. Should I be doing this? What collection tubes are compatible with columns?

Troubleshooting


Low DNA Yield
  • Reagents added incorrectly. Check protocol to ensure correct buffer reconstitution, order of addition for buffers and proper handling of column flow-through and eluents.
  • Gel slice not fully dissolved. Small clumps of agarose may clog the column or interfere with DNA binding. Be sure to incubate the gel slice in the Monarch Gel Dissolving Buffer for the specified time and within the proper temperature range. Mix the sample and inspect periodically to monitor dissolution of the agarose.
  • Gel dissolved above 60°C. The DNA may become denatured if incubated at higher temperatures than the specified range of 37–55°C.
  • Incomplete elution during prep. Ensure the DNA Elution Buffer is delivered directly to the center of the column so that the matrix is completely covered and elution is efficient. Larger elution volumes and longer incubation times can increase yield of DNA off the column at the cost of dilution of the sample and increased processing times. For typical fragments below 10 kb, the recommended elution volumes and incubation times should be sufficient, unless the maximal yield is desired. For the purification of larger fragments, heating the DNA Elution Buffer to 50°C prior to eluting and extending the incubation time after buffer addition to 5 minutes can improve yield. Additionally, multiple rounds of elution can be employed to increase the amount of DNA eluted, at the expense of dilution of the sample.
Low DNA Performance
  • Gel slice not fully dissolved. Undissolved agarose may leach salts into the eluted DNA. Be sure to incubate the gel slice and the Monarch Gel Dissolving Buffer mixture for the specified time and temperature. Mix the sample and inspect periodically to monitor dissolving of the agarose.
  • Ethanol has been carried over. Ensure final wash spin time is 1 minute to ensure complete removal of the wash buffer from the column and be careful when transferring the column to a new tube for elution step to ensure column tip does not contact column flow-through.
  • Trace amounts of salts that produce low OD260/230 ratios can also be carried over during the elution step. Be careful when transferring column to new tube for elution step to ensure the column tip does not contact column flow-through.

Tech Tips

Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit protocol
Learn how to extract DNA from agarose gels using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit.
Monarch_GelExtProtocol_VideoThumb
Tips for using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit
Optimize your DNA gel extractions with our quick tips for using the Monarch DNA Gel Extraction Kit.
Monarch_GelExtTips_VideoThumb
How to recycle your Monarch Kit components
Learn how you can easily recycle all of the components in your Monarch Kits.
Monarch_HowToRecycle_VideoThumb

Quality, Safety & Legal

Quality Assurance Statement

Quality Control tests are performed on each new lot of NEB product to meet the specifications designated for it. Specifications and individual lot data from the tests that are performed for this particular product can be found and downloaded on the Product Specification Sheet, Certificate of Analysis, data card or product manual. Further information regarding NEB product quality can be found here.

Specifications

The Specification sheet is a document that includes the storage temperature, shelf life and the specifications designated for the product. The following file naming structure is used to name these document files: [Product Number]_[Size]_[Version]

Certificate Of Analysis

The Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a signed document that includes the storage temperature, expiration date and quality controls for an individual lot. The following file naming structure is used to name these document files: [Product Number]_[Size]_[Version]_[Lot Number]

Legal and Disclaimers

Products and content are covered by one or more patents, trademarks and/or copyrights owned or controlled by New England Biolabs, Inc (NEB). The use of trademark symbols does not necessarily indicate that the name is trademarked in the country where it is being read; it indicates where the content was originally developed. The use of this product may require the buyer to obtain additional third-party intellectual property rights for certain applications. For more information, please email busdev@neb.com.

This product is intended for research purposes only. This product is not intended to be used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in humans or animals.

New England Biolabs (NEB) is committed to practicing ethical science – we believe it is our job as researchers to ask the important questions that when answered will help preserve our quality of life and the world that we live in. However, this research should always be done in safe and ethical manner. Learn more.

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