Abstract: An electrophoresis microgel is formed in a gel holder. The gel holder comprises a top substrate, a bottom substrate and a spacer disposed between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. The spacer establishes a separation of from 25 to 250 microns between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. A gel compartment is formed by partially sealing the top substrate to the bottom substrate, while leaving an opening for the introduction of unpolymerized gel. The gel compartment is then filled with an unpolymerized gel, which is polymerized in the gel compartment. Electrodes may be printed on the substrates, may be contacts to an exposed edge of gel, or may be applied through windows cut into one of the substrates. One type of gel holder makes use of graded beads having a diameter of 25 to 250 microns slurried in an adhesive such as an acrylate adhesive as the spacer. The slurry is printed onto the surface of one or both substrates to form a spacer of the desired shape, and then hardened using heat or light.

Abstract: Gradient gels are formed in a slab gel enclosure by introducing gel solution through a channel in one of the two or more spacers which set the thickness of the gel. The channel opens into the gel space through an aperture in the inner longitudinal edge of the spacer at approximately mid-length along the edge, and filling of the gel space with the solution is performed with the enclosure rotated onto its side. In certain embodiments of the invention, the opposing spacer contains an aperture as well, plus a channel leading from the aperture to the exterior of the enclosure, for venting of air from the gel space as the space is being filled with the gel-forming liquid.

Abstract: Gel holders for electrophoresis gels are made using clad fibers, particularly glass fibers as spacers between substrates. A plurality of fibers with an high-melting interior core and a low-melting external cladding are placed between a first planar substrate and a second planar substrate. The fibers are heated to a temperature sufficient to at least soften the exterior cladding of the fibers without softening the interior core of the fibers, and then cooled while they are in contact with the first and second substrates to resolidify the exterior cladding. This adheres the fibers to the first and second substrates, and forms a gel chamber between said first and second substrates. The gel chamber has a thickness defined by interior core of the fibers. The fibers may be heated before or after the second substrate is placed over the top of the fibers. The gel holders thus formed may be filled immediately with a gel forming solution such as a polyacrylamide, or they may be stored indefinitely and used as needed.

Abstract: Gel holders for electrophoresis gels are made using fibers, particularly glass fibers, which are affixed to the substrates forming the gel holder using an adhesive. These gel holders can be made by placing a plurality of adhesive-coated fibers between a first planar substrate and a second planar substrate; and applying pressure to the outside of the substrates to adhere the fibers to the first and second substrates. This forms a gel chamber between the first and second substrates which has a thickness defined by diameter of the fibers. Alternatively, uncoated fibers may be laid down in pairs, with a line of adhesive disposed between each fiber of the pair. When the adhesive is cured, it binds the fibers in position as spacers. At the same time, the fibers isolate the adhesive from the gel compartment. In this way, interference of components of the adhesive with the polymerization of the a gel in the gel chamber can be avoided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette for gel electrophoresis which may be easily disassembled without disrupting or damaging the gel and which prevents the gel from sliding out of the cassette. This invention is further directed to a cassette provided with a comb carrier which allows for the easy insertion of a comb into the cassette after the gel has been poured without damaging the gel and which protects the comb from having unwanted material enter into the comb and into the gel.

Abstract: A gel electrophoresis cassette for conducting gel electrophoresis separations. The cassette has a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate by spacer members, and an electrophoresis gel layer between the plates. The second plate is plastic and has lane dividers molded integrally therewith. The lane dividers are in releasable sealing engagement with the first plate, the releasable sealing engagement being provided by a means selected from the group consisting of (1) a film carrier coated on each side with a pressure sensitive adhesive and (2) ultrasonic welding. A niche is provided in one of the spacer members, the niche being effectively sized and positioned to receive the tip of an instrument such as a screwdriver effective to pry apart the plates after the gel is run so the gel layer can be removed for analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for producing a polyacrylamide gel sample typically for use in electrophoretic analysis. The subject method includes providing a container comprising a bottle and cap assembly for conducting a gel formation sequence. The cap assembly includes a storage compartment. A plurality of premixed chemical materials are employed for producing a polyacrylamide gel used to make the gel samples. The container includes a bottle for storing an acrylamide solution and a cap assembly for storing the premixed chemical materials in dry particulate form therewithin. The cap is located atop the bottle. The premixed chemical materials are stored in the bottle and in the storage compartment for subsequently producing the acrylamide gel solution in situ within the confines of the container so that the step of transferring of the gel stock solutions to an auxiliary container is avoided.