Abstract: Sharkstooth combs for use in slab electrophoresis for holding samples above the gel prior to being separated in contiguous lanes are formed of a metallic core sheathed in a surface coating to render such a comb electrically insulating. The metallic core provides the comb with the strength needed to prevent breakage of the teeth, which is otherwise a problem due to the thinness of the comb.

Abstract: Electrophoretic separation in a slab gel and blotting of the resulting zone pattern onto a membrane are both performed in a single tank cell which contains separation electrodes along opposing vertical walls and blotting electrodes horizontally arranged above and below the level designated for the gel placement. The blotting electrode situated below the gel is an array of parallel wires arranged to simulate a plate electrode. The cell is operated in separatory and blotting modes, in which the separation and blotting electrodes, respectively, are separately energized. During the separatory mode, the wires in the array forming the lower blotting electrode are electrically isolated from each other to permit each to adjust to the voltage of the buffer immediately surrounding it.