An apparatus for submerged gel electrophoresis

A novel apparatus for submerged gel electrophoresis is described in detail. It includes an upper buffer compartment, a lower buffer compartment, and a horizontal plate between the two compartments. The horizontal plate is a heat exchanger connected to an external heater/cooler. Buffer circulates between the two compartments through openings in the horizontal plate. In the upper compartment two separated openings are positioned on each side of the horizontal plate between the side walls and long vertical barriers. The barriers initially direct the flow of buffer and define the electric field on the sides of the upper compartment. The electric field is confined essentially into a rectangular box, defined on the ends by the end walls, on the sides by the barriers, on the bottom by the cooling plate, and on the top by the air. Since the volume of buffer is smaller in the electrode compartment than in the reservoir under the cooling plate, this design enables formation of a substantially uniform electric field without creating too high a current. To enhance uniformity of the electric field, anode and cathode consist each of two platinum wires positioned one above the other at a distance of 6 mm. The electrodes can be placed parallel to the sides and perpendicular to the buffer flow or parallel to the ends and the flow of buffer. The stream of buffer in the upper compartment is regulated by two dams, perpendicular to the long barriers, on each end of the horizontal plate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)