Abstract: An apparatus for the rapid filling and polymerization of electrophoresis gels comprises:(a) a housing;(b) a filling fixture removably disposed within the housing and adapted to receive a gel holder having an internal gel compartment;(c) an injection system, which is connectible to a reservoir for holding a polymerizable solution;(d) a solution injection connector adapted to couple the injection system to a gel holder placed within the filling fixture,(e) a controller for the injection system, which causes the injection system to inject polymerizable solution from the reservoir into the gel compartment; and(f) a radiation source disposed within the housing in a location effective to irradiate polymerizable solution within the gel compartment of a gel holder in the filling fixture. The filling fixture may be mounted on a base which is slidable between a position inside the housing, and a position outside the housing to permit easy placement of a gel holder into the filling fixture.