Abstract: A fluid applicator device includes an applicator body having a surface that is generally planar. A plurality of aligned applicator teeth extend from said applicator body. Each applicator tooth extends longitudinally from said applicator body along a length from a base of the applicator tooth proximate to the applicator body to a tip of the applicator tooth distal to the applicator body. At least one applicator tooth of the plurality of aligned applicator teeth has a width that is greater at the base than at the tip. A method for depositing a liquid sample on a substrate using the fluid applicator device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for gel electrophoresis comprising a cassette and a comb having at least one wedge-shaped tooth.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for gel electrophoresis comprising a cassette and a comb having at least one wedge-shaped tooth.

Abstract: The invention provides a dry electroblotting system for dry blotting gels, in which the system includes an electroblotting transfer stack that comprises an analysis gel and a blotting membrane, an anode, a body of anodic gel matrix juxtaposed with the anode between the anode and the transfer stack, a cathode, and a body of cathodic gel matrix juxtaposed with the cathode between the cathode and the transfer stack, in which the anodic gel matrix and the cathodic gel matrix each comprise an ion source for electrophoretic transfer. The dry electroblotting system does not use any liquid buffers that are added to the system just before electroblotting (such as when the transfer stack is being assembled). The anode, the cathode, or both can be separate from a power supply and provided as part of a disposable electrode assembly that also includes a body of gel matrix that includes ions for electrophoretic transfer.

Abstract: An electrophoresis gel assembly comprising a gel slab, at least two sample wells and at least one focusing buffer well arranged between two adjacent sample wells and wherein focusing barriers are arranged between the focusing buffer well and the sample wells. A high conductivity focusing buffer can be applied to the focusing buffer well to obtain a lateral focusing of the sample bands during electrophoresis.

Abstract: An automated laboratory system and method allow high-throughput and fully automated processing of materials, such as liquids including genetic materials. The invention includes a variety of aspects that may be combined into a single system. For example, processing may be performed by a plurality of robotic-equipped modular stations, where each modular station has its own unique environment in which processes are performed. Transport devices, such as conveyor belts, may move objects between modular stations, saving movement for robots in the modular stations. Gels used for gel electrophoresis may be extruded, thus decreasing the time needed to form such gels. Robotically-operated well forming tools allow wells to be formed in gels in a registered and accurate way.

Abstract: In the present innovated vertical slice gel electrophoresis cell, at least one piece of large diameter screw urging ring is held to face to one U-shaped side opening of an upper buffer chamber, but an interval is left therebetween. After inserting a gel cassette into the interval, turning tight the screw urging ring can force at least one piece of gel cassette to join the upper buffer chamber tightly, no matter how thick the cassette is. In addition, some other materials are found also suitable for absorbing the Joule-heat after sealing them into dielectric shells respectively.

Abstract: An In-Situ gel casting machine comprising a gel casting stand (1), a rubber cushion (2), and a locking base (3). Overlapping a notched glass (121) with a glass plate (122) tightly together will form a gel room (123), it is called as the slab gel casting mold (12). Put the same two slab gel casting molds (12) into each side of the portable casting stand (11) along its insides, and then insert the wedge frames (13) against each slab gel casting mold (12), which will form the gel-casting stand (1). Because each sidewall locking structure (32) of the locking base (3) compresses the slab gel casting molds from two directions, it ensures that the slab gel casting molds are sealed well. Without moving the slab gel casting molds, an electrophoresis experiment can be started right after the gel has been solidified, which can avoid the leakage of the gel solution and the production of air bubbles into the slab gel casting molds.

Abstract: A device providing an arrangement for the separation of a sample mixture for analytical reasons based on multidimensional gel electrophoresis and method thereof are disclosed. The separation involves a first separation in a first dimension of the device on the basis of isoelectric points and a second separation in a second dimension of the device on the basis of molecular size. At least two gel strips for the first dimension separation step and a corresponding gel for the second dimension separation step are provided. The two gel strips are arranged on a single carrier either on the same side or on opposite sides. By having at least two gel strips arranged in such a manner at least two analytical processes can be executed in parallel on the single carrier without the use of valves.

Abstract: In the present vertical slab-gel electrophoresis instrument, all the vertical slab gel cassettes comprise un-notched rectangular sidewalls and flanged spacer strips, but still can form a U-notched upper opening with an even rim for each cassette; one type of cassette can undergo gel casting with an electrophoresis cell, while another two types of cassettes can be used to form a multiple-cassette electrophoresis cell. The present invention can also incorporate a swing-frame chosen for urging a cassette to join an upper buffer chamber, provides an improved cooling device such that there is no need for the use of exogenous coolant, and also provides simple methods to enable cassettes to be tightly enclosed within membrane pouches for gel casting.

Abstract: A gel casting module and an electrode module provided on a caster in an electrophoresis device having at least a recess provided for clinging thereto of a flat plate of a gel plate sandwich, a caster lid is provided on the lower side of the recess of the caster and can be turned to press on the recess; the caster is provided on two sides of its shoulder with clasps for fixing or releasing the caster lid, thereby the caster is used as a main-body for the gel casting module and the electrode module to position the gel plate sandwich. When in use, it needs only to do an action of closing the caster lid, the gel plate sandwich can be surely fixed on the caster; this not only increases the convenience of operation, but also largely simplifies the operation procedure for electrophoresis gel casting and running.

Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a container (20) having a base (22) and sides (32) adapted to receive a plurality of plastic gel cassettes. An inlet port (12) is positioned in the base of the container and in fluid communication with the chamber and a baffle (11) is positioned over the inlet port, such that, in use, when gel forming fluid passes through the inlet port into the chamber, the baffle substantially reduces fluid turbulence and vertical fluid movement in the vicinity of the inlet port during flow of the fluid into the chamber. Pretreatment of the plastic cassette to remove polymerisation inhibitors prior to filling the same with fluid is by exhaustive vacuum treatment, optionally with nitrogen gas purging. This can be achieved conveniently using a vacuum chamber in which one or more plastic cassettes are placed. Optionally the vacuum chamber may be the container in which the cassettes are filled with fluid. No barrier films or chemical scavengers are required.

Abstract: A plugging medium is used to block the bottom opening of cassettes for vertical electrophoresis in order to facilitate filling the cassettes with separation media. Cassettes can be filled within a vertical electrophoresis system in which electrophoresis is conducted without further manipulation of the cassettes. The system includes a frame assembly mounted on a base containing a basin for plugging solution. The cassette is mounted to the frame assembly in a substantially vertical position such that a bottom opening of the empty cassette resides below the rim of the basin. The plugging solution (e.g. agarose gel) forms a plug within the bottom of the cassette to contain the separation medium.

Abstract: An electrophoresis separator of which a receiving tank used for placing therein carriers has slots on the two sides thereof, one side of each carrier has a notch matching with a corresponding slot; so that when the carrier is inserted in the receiving tank, a blocking piece provided at the bottom of the receiving tank covers the bottom of the carrier and the crevice between the notch and the receiving tank; and a blocking sheet is inserted into the slot and notch. The blocking sheet can be removed from the slot and notch after the gel in the carrier is fixed and shaped, then the gel can contact the electric conducting liquid in the electrophoresis tank through the slot and notch; the other end of the gel body will contact the electric conducting liquid through an upper opening of the carrier directly. When electrodes are activated, electric current floating is resulted to cause an effect of molecule separation and analysis for the sample in the gel.

Abstract: A gel process plate is formed of a base member with a plurality of concave portions, and a lid member with a plurality of convex portions. Each concave portion has a bottom surface provided with holes for allowing a liquid to pass therethrough. Each convex portion has a height less than a depth of the concave portion of the base member, and a top surface with holes for allowing the liquid to pass therethrough. The convex portions are disposed at portions corresponding to the concave portions of the base member to fit the concave portions. When the base member and the lid member are assembled, a space is defined between the bottom surface of the concave portion and the top surface of the convex portion to hold a piece, i.e. gel piece, therein for processing.

Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.

Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.

Abstract: A device and a method for casting 50 gels at once in a single gel mold are provided. Gel solution is poured into a single gel mold, solidified into a gel block, and served as monthly gel supply of electrophoresis. For each application, a gel piece is easily sliced off from the gel block and ready for sample loading.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoresis cassette to cast electrophoresis gels and to separate and analyze molecular components by electrophoresis. The electrophoresis cassette comprises a top plate assembly, a spacer and a bottom plate. The top plate assembly is seated to the bottom plate with the spacer there between to define a thickness of the electrophoresis cassette and to seal an outer perimeter of the assembly. The top plate assembly includes a cathode reservoir connected to a first terminal end of a central plate, and an anode reservoir connected to a second terminal end of the central plate. When the electrophoresis cassette is assembled, the cathode and anode reservoirs are in alignment with the first and second terminal ends of the central plate to facilitate formation of leak-proof seals between the reservoirs and the assembly components.

Abstract: Applicator of a fluid sample on a substrate, wherein at least an applying blade substantially of rectangular shape in its turn defining a body of the blade, a tip of the blade and two facing side edges of the blade, wherein each blade has a drain of the body of the blade stretching between the facing side edges of the blade, the drain defining a physical barrier for the fluid sample; and at least one calibrated retention aperture of the fluid sample, put between the tip of the blade and the drain of the blade, the at least one aperture being calibrated in order to keep on its inside an exactly defined amount of fluid sample.

Abstract: Methods of use, accessories and chambers, optimal for performing Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) of DNA molecules in ‘Contour Clamped Homogeneous Electric Field’ (CHEF) and ‘Transversal Alternating Field Electrophoresis’ (TAFE) systems, are provided herein. DNA molecules are rapidly separated in the minigels of these chambers. The sizes of chambers and accessories are determined by the separation between the opposite polarity electrodes; which is comprised between 6, 2 and 15 cm. Reproducibility of molecule separation is achieved because the accessories warrant homogeneous electric resistance in the buffer and minigels. Chambers allow a high-throughput sample format using the reagents efficiently. It is attained excluding the non-useful electrophoresis zones For a better optimization, TAFE chambers have several useful electrophoresis zones (UEZ), each carrying a minigel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a gradient gel. The present invention in one embodiment is a gel-making system that has a reservoir for holding a solution. The reservoir is connected to a movable arm through a tubing. The tubing has two ends: one end is in fluid communication with the reservoir; and the other, an open end, is received by the movable arm. A gel holder having an internal gel chamber is placed underneath the movable arm for receiving the solution. In operation, the movement of the movable arm causes the open end of the tubing to move along with it and the open end of the tubing delivers the solution in motion to the internal gel chamber to form the gel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mold for the manufacture of an electrophoresis cassette, the mold comprising a body having a cassette molding part formed on one face thereof, the cassette molding part being surrounded by a peripheral sheet engaging portion extending in a plane located at a different elevation than the cassette molding part to provide for substantially uniform stretching of the sheet on the cassette molding part.

Abstract: An improved cassette for use in the formation of an electrophoretic gel comprises two plates with substantially planar walls having two sides and two ends so arranged in a side by side spaced apart array to form a gel receiving space between them. A plurality of dividing ribs on one or each of the walls extend from a first end of the wall or walls substantially parallel to at least one of the sides thereof to a rib base end. The ribs extend into the space so as to subdivide at least one end of the space into a plurality of substantially parallel wells. A plurality of holes extend through at least one of the walls of the cassette located at or adjacent the base of the dividing rib and aligned with the rib. The arrangement of holes allow sufficient current flow to replace that lost due to the dividing ribs.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a disposable electrophoresis cassette particularly suitable for pre-cast polyacrylamide gels for protein and nucleic acid electrophoresis. The invention also comprises a support plate for the said cassette that acts as a heat sink and provides a more uniform migration front in operation since the temperature of the gel is substantially the same during electrophoresis operation. Also disclosed is a novel comb element for filling the cassette, and a novel method therefor.

Abstract: The present invention describes sample loading devices for use in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis systems. The sample loading devices comprise alternating areas of absorbent membranes and diffusion barriers, where the diffusion barriers are formed by the application of some form of energy, such as heat, pressure, laser energy, RF energy or the like. The present invention also describes devices and methods for making sample loading devices, and methods of loading samples into polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis systems.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette for electrophoresis gels comprising: first and second planar wall members having inner and outer surfaces, top and bottom edges, and lateral edges wherein the wall members are oriented generally parallel to each other and such that the inner wall of each wall member is proximate to the inner wall of the other wall member; spacing means disposed between the inner walls of the wall members and adapted to provide a space for an electrophoresis gel between the inner walls of the wall members, wherein the cassette has an interior which is defined by the space between the wall members; and locking means adapted to prevent locking engagement of the members unless the inner surfaces of the wall members and are substantially parallel to each other and are separated by a predetermined distance, and when the wall members are in locked engagement, to substantially prevent any movement of the wall members away from such locked engagement.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: A slab gel processing tank is provided according to the invention. The slab gel processing tank comprises a bottom, two substantially parallel end panels, and two substantially parallel side panels having substantially vertical lower portions and outwardly angled upper portions, with the upper portions being textured to minimize contact with a gel slab, wherein the tank is adapted to be filled with a gel processing working fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for moving, isolating and/or identifying particles in a sample by placing said sample in a spatially varying electrical field wherein the spatially varying electrical field is following a mathematical nonmonotonous function, selected from the group consisting of linear, hyperbolic, parabolic, parabolic functions or y˜xp/q and combinations thereof wherein p q means an integer. Also various devices are disclosed for performing the method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a gradient gel. The present invention in one embodiment is a gel-making system that has a reservoir for holding a solution. The reservoir is connected to a movable arm through a tubing. The tubing has two ends: one end is in fluid communication with the reservoir; and the other, an open end, is received by the movable arm. A gel holder having an internal gel chamber is placed underneath the movable arm for receiving the solution. In operation, the movement of the movable arm causes the open end of the tubing to move along with it and the open end of the tubing delivers the solution in motion to the internal gel chamber to form the gel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gel cassette, comprising two glass plates and a substantially H- or U-shaped spacer. One of the two glass plates is preferably provided with sensors for measuring at least one gel parameter, such as the potential or the temperature. The spacer consists for instance of two part placed vertically in the situation of use which are mutually connected by means of a part lying substantially perpendicular thereto and substantially horizontal in the situation of use, wherein the horizontal part is provided with teeth.

Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.

Abstract: A device and apparatus for producing ultra-thin electrophoresis gels formed between spaced-apart plates is provided, where at least one of the plates has a plurality of grooves, the device comprising a spacer comb having extensions formed thereon which are arranged, sized, shaped and located so as to approximately mate with and occupy the grooves on the plate so as to exclude gel material from the grooves during the formation of the electrophoresis gel.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gel casting and electrophoresis device that simplifies the gel cassette casting and electrophoresis process by providing an integral frame assembly that includes a bottom sealing means movable to a first position where the sealing means seals the bottom of the gel cassette for gel casting purposes and a second position which exposes the bottom of the gel cassette for electrophoresis purposes.

Abstract: Electrophoresis gels are formed using a gel-forming insert having a beveled edge which results in loading sites having a beveled bottom surface. The gel forming insert can have a continuous beveled edge across the entire width of the gel, in which case a special loading insert is used which matches the bevel of the gel. Alternatively, the gel forming insert may be formed with a plurality of fingers with beveled ends, each finger defining a well in the gel. In one form of the gel-forming insert, the fingers are formed from a soft, flexible polymer such as silicone applied on a rigid support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cassette with comb in place, useful for gel electrophoresis which is capable of being filled through a fluid conducting channel which communicates from the exterior of the top of the cassette assembly to the void (confined) volume of the cassette, for example, with the juncture between adjacent teeth of the comb; provides a comb useful for top filling of an electrophoresis cassette assembly and a method for top filling of an electrophoresis cassette assembly.

Abstract: The titled apparatus mainly comprises an outer casting member having a hollow frustum channel lined detachably by a flexible sheet, an inner casting member having an exterior lateral wall of frustum shape being placed within the sheet-lined channel of the outer casting member, a gel slab sandwiched concentrically in the space between the interior wall of the sheet-lined channel and the exterior lateral wall of the inner casting member, and a method to expose the entire gel by first slipping off the outer casting member from the flexible sheet, then peeling off the flexible sheet from the gel slab, and then taking the entire gel slab off from the inner casting member. The apparatus provides a vertical electrophoresis means for both agarose gel electrophoresis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with the advantages of large sample capacity, higher sensitivity, short analysis time, and simple operation.

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.

Abstract: A well-forming and loading-guide comb for electrophoresis gels. The comb includes a comb body, to which well-forming teeth and a loading guide are attached in an opposing fashion. The comb can be used with the teeth pointing downward into the gel to form sample wells in either vertical or horizontal electrophoresis gels. Upon hardening of the gel, the comb is once removed from the gels, leaving sample wells therein. The comb is then rotated 180 degrees, and notches (in the case of vertical electrophoresis gels) or L-shaped extensions (in the case of horizontal electrophoresis gels) of the loading guide are aligned with the sample wells so as to provide for easy guided access of a sample delivering instrument during the loading of samples into the wells.

Abstract: A method of electrophoresis and providing electrophoresis support medium in lane-by-lane formation, each lane having a sample loading well and for electrophoresis gel lanes are transferred to electrophoresis tank lane by lane and used for electrophoresis.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, there are provided methods, gels, and transferring devices for loading gels. The methods and devices of the present invention involve the use of ultra-thin, miniature, disposable, slab gels for the quick, inexpensive and high resolution analysis of polynucleotide samples.

Abstract: A spacer in the form of an elongated, rectangular parallelepiped for use between the two glass plates of a gel cassette to delimit a space for receiving an electrophoresis gel between the glass plates where the spacer is made of glass.

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.