Bio-rad Laboratories, Inc.

Donald D Sleeter

George G Fernwood

Samuel Burd

Raymond D Von Alven

A gel used for electrophoresis is cast in a gel enclosure in which the gel will ultimately be used during the electrophoresis, by a novel method and using novel apparatus which provide for quick assembly and avoidance of leaks. The method and apparatus involve a wettable, preferably porous, membrane such as filter paper, which is thoroughly wetted with gel forming solution, then placed over the bottom opening of the gel enclosure and held in place until the gel on the membrane sets. Sealing of any cracks, gaps or irregularities along the rim of the opening is thereby achieved by the capillary action of the gel forming solution. The enclosure itself is then filled with gel forming solution. Once the latter has set, the membrane is removed.

Apparatus and method for gel casting

An integrated plate structure provides a novel component for use in an electrophoretic sequencing cell. The integrated plate structure consists of a glass plate and a plastic plate bonded together along a raised edge of the latter, the edge extending along the sides and bottom of the plastic plate. The plates thus form a permanent enclosure for an upper buffer solution, open at the top for filling. The glass plate further serves as one of the two glass plates forming the gel enclosure.

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Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Donald D Sleeter