Abstract: An illumination system enhances a manual human process associated with a multiwell plate having an array of wells thereon. The illumination system includes a compact self-contained apparatus including an illuminator coupled to a human interface. The human interface is configured to receive an operating parameter input and a start input. The illuminator has a protective surface for receiving the well plate and a plurality of underlying light sources configured to initiate a sequence of different well subarray indications in response to the start input and pursuant to the operating parameter input.

Abstract: An electrophoresis running tank assembly includes a running tank and a power supply holder that is integral to the running tank. A lid is configured for covering the tank, with two activation arms depending downwardly from the lid and with peripheral vertical skirts of the lid overlapping the walls of the tank. Two switches are held by a switch assembly in the power supply holder and are accessible through a space between the power supply holder and a pin wall that supports two connector pins. When the lid is engaged with the tank, the activation arms extend into the space to abut and thereby close the switches, thereby electrically connecting the switches to the electrode. A power supply can be engaged with the pins to energize the electrodes.

Abstract: A gel cassette for electrophoresis includes opposed plastic plates holding a gel therebetween. An upper buffer tank can be adhered to one of the plates by double backed tape that is sandwiched between the tank and plate, thereby avoiding the use of a rubber sealing gasket between the tank and plate. As a result, the distance between the tank and the plate is kept constant. A buffer solution in the tank communicates with the gel. The cassette can then be placed in a lower buffer tank and an electric field applied to the buffer solutions to effect electrophoresis of DNA fragments that have been placed in the gel. In an alternate embodiment, a window is formed in one of the plastic plates to allow laser light to pass into the cassette and excite a fluorescent tag in the DNA. The fluorescence then passes back through the window for detection by a sensor, to automatically determine the DNA sequence of the sample in the gel in accordance with auto DNA sequencing principles.

Abstract: This invention provides a gel electrophoresis casting cassette for horizontal gel electrophoresis. The tray and lid of the cassette have locking means for securing the two parts to prevent damage to the slab gel and to create slab gels of uniform quality.