Adapted from Lawrence, A., Besir, H. Staining of Proteins in Gels with Coomassie G-250 without Organic Solvent and Acetic Acid. J. Vis. Exp. (30), e1350, doi:10.3791/1350 (2009).

1. The gel cassette is disassembled and the gel placed in a box for the subsequent washing steps.

2. About 100 ml of bi-distilled water is added to the gel and heated in the microwave oven for 30 seconds. Heating should be stopped before boiling occurs. The box with the gel is then placed on a shaker for 3-5 min. and this washing step is repeated twice (i.e., Step 2) with fresh water.

3. Enough CBB staining solution is added to cover the gel in the box and the box heated in the microwave for 10 sec. without boiling. The box with the gel is then placed on a shaker for finishing the staining. Already after 1 minute, protein bands can be observed, after 15-30 min. the staining is strong enough in most cases.

4. The staining solution is poured off and 50-100 ml bi-distilled water is added in order to further destain the light blue background of the gel on a shaker. The water can be replaced by fresh water for further destaining if needed.

5. The gel can be scanned, photographed or dried for long-term storage.