Orientation to Electrophoresis Equipment

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Orientation to Electrophoresis Equipment

• Horizontal Gels

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Many variants on a gel box
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Common elements of Box

• Positive end (red) and negative end (black)
• Often wires visible at each end on bottom of gel
  box
• Leads to attach to power source
• Platform for tray that holds the gel

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Casting Tray

• Holds a gel - handy to measure its volume
• Slots to accommodate a comb whose teeth will make
  the wells in the gel
• Comb can be placed at the end (DNA) or in middle
  (dyes)
• Way to temporarily block off ends to contain the
  molten agarose (tape, rubber dams, etc.)

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Power Supplies

• Voltage may be variable or two fixed levels 75
  V and 125 V for example.
• Some have timers that keep track of running time.

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Care of Equipment

• Buffers are salty, so after use, rinse out the
  gel box thoroughly with water.
• Do NOT dry the box with toweling let it AIR
  dry!