Abstract: Electrophoretic separation of samples in a running gel is obtained by depositing three layers of liquid in an outer container. The liquid layers have increasing specific gravities proceding from the uppermost to the lowermost layer. The upper and lower layers are electrically conductive buffer solutions which are immiscible with the center layer which is electrically insulating. A rack is provided for holding running gels in the outer container so that the upper end of the gels are in contact with the upper buffer layer and the lower end of the gels are in contact with the lower buffer layer. An upper and a lower electrode is provided in contact with each of the upper and lower buffer solutions respectively.

Abstract: A device for performing electrophoretic separation of samples in a tube shaped gel. An outer container has an open upper end and side walls joined by a bottom closure. An upper buffer chamber assembly is received in and supported by the open upper end of the outer container. The upper buffer assembly defines an upper buffer chamber therein having a bottom wall spaced from the bottom closure of the outer container and thereby together with the outer container sidewalls forming a lower buffer chamber. A removable cooling core is disposed in the lower buffer chamber and has a cooling passage therethrough having open ends in communication with the lower buffer chamber. A plurality of tubes for holding electrophoresis separation gels are provided which extend through the bottom wall of the upper buffer chamber, thereby having one end in communication with each of the upper and lower buffer chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying slab gels having a metal platen with electrical strip heaters mounted on one side thereof and a depression formed in the other side which serves as a drying chamber. The slab gel is laid on a sheet of porous filter paper over which is laid a sheet of non-porous material having non-adhesive qualities relative to the slab gel. The mounted and covered slab gel is placed in the depression and a compliant cover sheet is placed over the top of the depression overlapping the platen around the periphery of the depression. An open passage is formed through one edge of the platen in communication with the depression therein. The strip heaters are connected to an electrical power source and the open passage is connected to a vacuum source. The pressure in the depression is reduced relative to ambient pressure causing the compliant cover to be forced against the platen around the periphery of the depression for sealing the drying chamber.

Abstract: A slicer for tube gels or strips from a slab gel which includes a cutting plate having a plurality of blades in spaced parallel relation extending between the sides of the cutting plate. The spaces between the blades are configured with a cutting edge on one side thereof. The plate is mounted in a holder which is driven by a rotating cam mounted on a drive motor shaft which contacts a cam follower on an arm attached to the cutting plate holder. A pedestal is provided for supporting the gel slab strip or tube gel. The gel is retained laterally on the pedestal by means of retaining vanes on each side of the pedestal. The retaining vanes are urged by springs to extend above the surface of the pedestal. The cutting plate holder is rotatably attached to a framework for mounting the drive motor and the support pedestal so that it may be alternately positioned overlying the pedestal and in a remote position.

Abstract: A gel electrophoresis device in which the separating gel is cast in a vertical position between hydrophilic plates which form a gel slab chamber filled with a separating gel solution from the bottom for reducing fill turbulence allowing formation of a gel slab having a predetermined gradient. A removable seal is applied to the bottom of the gel slab chamber for containing the separating gel solution prior to polymerization. One gel slab chamber may be removably attached to each vertical side of a central temperature control chamber which is completely enclosed and which has an inlet and an outlet channel for circulation of temperature control fluid therethrough. An upper buffer chamber which opens upwardly is formed above the central temperature control chamber in communication with the top of the vertical gel slab chambers.

Abstract: A gel electrophoresis device in which the separating gel is cast in a vertical position between hydrophilic plates which form a gel slab chamber filled with a separating gel solution from the bottom for reducing fill turbulence allowing formation of a gel slab having a predetermined gradient. A removable seal is applied to the bottom of the gel slab chamber for containing the separating gel solution prior to polymerization. One gel slab chamber may be removably attached to each vertical side of a central temperature control chamber which is completely enclosed and which has an inlet and an outlet channel for circulation of temperature control fluid therethrough. An upper buffer chamber which opens upwardly is formed above the central temperature control chamber in communication with the top of the vertical gel slab chambers.

Abstract: A destainer for electrophoresis slab gels. The slab gels are placed in flexible mesh, and rolled into cylindrical shapes and inserted into slab holding tubes. The slab holding tubes are placed in the flow path of a washing liquid which flows past the slab gels and then through a return flow path containing a filter for removing stain particles washed away from the slab gels. A magnetic stirring pump draws fluid through the filter forcing it through the slab holding tubes and into the return flow path thereby forming a continuous flow path for destaining slab gels contained entirely within a cylindrical outside container.