Patent ID: 6451193
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
Apparatus for performing electrophoresis in a plurality of slab gels, each slab gel retained in an individual cassette which leaves opposing vertical edges of said gel exposed, said apparatus comprising:a tank with removable lid; first and second cassette supports, together comprising retaining means for holding a plurality of cassettes parallel to each other while leaving said vertical edges exposed, said retaining means substantially sealing said cassettes against said support to substantially prevent-fluid leakage therebetween; cassette support mounting means for mounting said first and second supports in said tank such that any cassettes held by said support are vertically oriented, and such that said cassette supports partition said tank into a central compartment between said supports and first and second side compartments, one on either side of said central compartment; first and second electrodes arranged to impose an electric potential substantially uniformly across said tank; and buffer circulation means comprising: an apertured tube with a plurality of apertures therein along said floor inside said tank; a plurality of tubular members extending downward from said lid; and an external circulation line with pump means joining said tubular members to said apertured tube, said pump means arranged to draw buffer solution from said tank through said tubular members and return buffer solution thus drawn to said tank through said apertured tube.