This section details common problems observed when performing gel electrophoresis and suggests ways in which they can be avoided. The most common problems are listed below and can also be accessed from the menus on the left. No distinct spots are visible Individual proteins appear as multiple spots Spots are vertically doubled, or 'twinned' Distortion of 2D pattern Horizontal streaking or incorrectly focused spots Horizontal stripes across gel Vertical streaking Vertical gap in 2D pattern Vertical regions of poor focusing Poor representation of higher molecular weight proteins Point streaking Background smear toward bottom of gel Background smear toward top of gel High background in top region of gel

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