Expanding cam lock for sealing slab gels in an electrophoresis apparatus

Abstract

An expanding cam lock for use with an electrophoresis system is disclosed herein. The cam lock allows the simultaneous use of multiple slab gel cassettes in first and second buffer core assemblies in an electrophoresis system while maintaining the necessary compressive force to create a liquid-tight seal between the anode and cathode buffer solutions. In one example embodiment, the expanding cam lock includes a base plate with a first surface adapted to engage the first buffer core assembly and a follower plate having second surface adapted to engage the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam. The base plate and the follower plate are slidably coupled together and are designed for insertion between the first buffer core assembly and the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam in the electrophoresis container. A cam is positioned between and moveably coupled with the base plate and the follower plate. The cam is movable from a first position to a second position to urge the first and second surfaces to secure the gel cassette to the first and second buffer core assemblies. Also provided herein is a buffer displacement dam. Also provided herein are kits and assemblies which incorporate the expanding cam and buffer displacement dam described herein.