Remove the binder clamps and rubber gaskets. Bring the gel to a sink and thoroughly rinse the outer sides of each plate with H 2 O to remove excess polyacrylamide and urea. Run a plastic spacer, usually found near the sink, along the top edge of the small plate to avoid getting acrylamide in the well. Gently remove the comb and rinse the well with a gentle stream of dH 2 O. 2. Attach the rubber gaskets to the sides above small plate.
Gels tend to heave up during electrophoresis which gives the wells a scalloped appearance.
Sliding the comb up slightly between runs, while still leaving a seal, deters the gel from piercing. A gel can be used up to four times if it is not pierced and previous runs look good. The edges are seam-jointed to prevent chipping. This is especially important at the top of the small plate where the comb is inserted. These are then cut to 100-well combs using a sharp scissors.