Abstract: A device and method for vertical slab gel casting and electrophoresis in a single enclosure is provided. Air is utilized as a sealing medium to seal the bottom of a gel space for gel casting by constructing an air-tight connection between a sealable lower buffer chamber and a gel space via a junction. The air is automatically released when a buffer is introduce into the lower buffer chamber so that the bottom of the gel is in direct contact with the buffer without manually removing a solid sealing device from the bottom of the gel, which enables the gel to be directly used for electrophoresis without any movement of the gel space.

Abstract: This invention is a channel plate that facilitates data compaction in DNA sequencing. The channel plate has a length, a width and a thickness, and further has a plurality of channels that are parallel. Each channel has a depth partially through the thickness of the channel plate. Additionally an interface edge permits electrical communication across an interface through a buffer to a deposition membrane surface.

Abstract: The loading of samples into wells that are formed in a vertical slab gel is facilitated by a needle guide that provides expanded openings that taper toward the wells, the openings being separated by partitions that help the user distinguish between the wells and the barriers of transparent gel material between the wells.

Abstract: Slab gels in parallel plate gel enclosures are readily placed in an electrophoresis cell where they are in full contact with upper and lower electrode buffers and reliably sealed against leakage with relatively few manual manipulations. The gel enclosures are pressed against an inner frame to form an upper buffer chamber, and the inner frame is inserted in an outer clamping frame in which the pressure between the gel enclosures and the inner frame is maintained by a cam-operated pressure plate. The clamping frame is then placed in a tank serving as the lower buffer chamber.

Abstract: Gradient gels are formed in a slab gel enclosure by introducing gel solution through a channel in one of the two or more spacers which set the thickness of the gel. The channel opens into the gel space through an aperture in the inner longitudinal edge of the spacer at approximately mid-length along the edge, and filling of the gel space with the solution is performed with the enclosure rotated onto its side. In certain embodiments of the invention, the opposing spacer contains an aperture as well, plus a channel leading from the aperture to the exterior of the enclosure, for venting of air from the gel space as the space is being filled with the gel-forming liquid.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette for gel electrophoresis which may be easily disassembled without disrupting or damaging the gel and which prevents the gel from sliding out of the cassette. This invention is further directed to a cassette provided with a comb carrier which allows for the easy insertion of a comb into the cassette after the gel has been poured without damaging the gel and which protects the comb from having unwanted material enter into the comb and into the gel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for two-dimensional electrophoresis of at least one electrophoresis unit comprising an electrophoresis medium enclosed between two plates, which apparatus comprises a first pair and a second pair of compartments for electrophoresis liquid which are provided with electrodes and which make electrophoretic contact on either side and mutually transversely of each other with the electrophoresis medium of the electrophoresis unit, wherein the compartments are disposed and adapted such that the electrophoresis unit assumes a standing position in the apparatus, and to an electrophoresis unit intended for such an apparatus.

Abstract: The improved DNA base sequencer has a flat plate type gel electrophoretic unit that has multiple tracks for electrophoresing DNA fragments and which is held in a vertical position, a light exciting laser light applying unit that applies laser light to the respective tracks in the electrophoretic unit from one lateral side thereof in such a way that it crosses the tracks at right angles, and a fluorescence detecting unit that detects the fluorescence as generated from the DNA fragments illuminated with the laser light and which converts the detected fluorescence to an electric signal. The sequencer is characterized in that the fluorescence detecting unit comprises a fluorescence condensing lens, a fluorescence filtering unit and a solid-state imaging device, (e.g., a CCD line sensor), the fluorescence filtering unit being composed of at least two filters that selectively transmit fluorescences having different wavelengths and that are staggered with each other along a common longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The improved DNA base sequencer comprises a flat plate type gel electrophoretic means that has a multiple of tracks for electrophoresing DNA fragments and which is held in a vertical position, a light exciting laser light applying means that applies laser light to the respective tracks in said electrophoretic means from one lateral side thereof in such a way that it crosses said tracks at right angles, and a fluorescence detecting means that detects the fluorescence as generated from the DNA fragments illuminated with the laser light and which converts the detected fluorescence to an electric signal, and it is characterized in that the fluorescence detecting means comprises an index-distributed lens array, a filter and a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD line sensor. This apparatus uses light-receiving optics that does not include a large and expensive optical device such as an image intensifier and which yet is capable of efficient fluorescence detection without "smiling" and other adverse effects.

Abstract: A gel electrophoresis cassette for conducting gel electrophoresis separations. The cassette has a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate by spacer members, and an electrophoresis gel layer between the plates. The second plate is plastic and has lane dividers molded integrally therewith. The lane dividers are in releasable sealing engagement with the first plate, the releasable sealing engagement being provided by a means selected from the group consisting of (1) a film carrier coated on each side with a pressure sensitive adhesive and (2) ultrasonic welding. A niche is provided in one of the spacer members, the niche being effectively sized and positioned to receive the tip of an instrument such as a screwdriver effective to pry apart the plates after the gel is run so the gel layer can be removed for analysis.

Abstract: Changes in polarized light incident on a detection zone within a separation matrix are used to detect optically active molecules within the separation matrix. The separation and detection of optically active molecules within the detection zone is done by loading a sample containing optically active molecules onto a separation matrix; applying a motive force to cause the sample to migrate through the separation matrix and to separate into a plurality of subgroups of optically active molecules; directing an incident beam of polarized radiation to the detection zone; processing the collected exiting beam with an optical component which discriminates between radiation having the same polarization as the incident beam and radiation having a different polarization from the incident beam; and measuring the intensity of the processed exiting beam.

Abstract: The fraction collector according to the present invention comprises a separating means composed of electrophoresis tracks to separate samples by electrophoresis, and a transferring means to transfer the separated components eluted from said electrophoresis tracks, a transferring means which comprises the capillary sample transferring tubes which are placed with their ends close to the ends of said electrophoresis tracks at the specified gap, and which transfers the separated components eluted from each electrophoresis track, a transport means to supply the buffer solution to said gap and to carry said separated component to said sample transferring tube by sheathflow of said buffer solution, a fractionating means to fractionate the separated components having moved inside said sample transfer tube, a detecting means to detect the elution of said separated component by detecting the light emitted from said separated component, and a control means to control said fractionating means based on the signal gained b

Abstract: To sequence DNA, DNA samples marked with flourscent infrared dye are applied at a plurality of locations for electrophoresing in a plurality of channels through a gel electrophoresis slab. The channels are scanned with a laser and a sensor, that include a microscope focused on the gel slab. The focal point and slab are adjusted with respect to each other so that the focal point of the microscope remains on the gel slab during a scan. The data from the scan is directly used to amplitude modulate density readings on a display, and the scan is displayed in a horizontal sweep of a cathode ray tube, whereby said cathode ray tube provides intensity displays of bands representing DNA. Different sizes of glass gel sandwiches may be mounted to the same console for different sequencing tasks.

Abstract: A gel casting system having a filling manifold and a gel casting clamp. The gel casting clamp is a U-shaped boot made of a flexible and resilient material and having a tapered channel disposed on its inner surface. The tapered channel secures a gel mold in the gel casting clamp. The gel casting clamp is disposed on top of the filling manifold, and an inlet in the bottom of the gel casting clamp mates with an outlet on the filling manifold to allow fluid to enter the gel mold from the filling manifold. The filling manifold includes two plates detachably connected to each other with a distribution system disposed between the plates. The filling manifold also includes an intake port through which fluid is supplied to the filling manifold from a supply means. In one embodiment, the supply means is a gradient former.