Monolithic electrophoresis flat gel system

A system for use in performing gel electrophoresis comprising:

• a reusable lid;
• a pre-fabricated horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit comprising:
• a molded horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit having a gel chamber residing between an anode chamber and a cathode chamber;
• a first interior wall of the unit separating the anode chamber from the gel chamber, the first interior wall having a weakened portion thereof to allow breaking of said first interior wall;
• a second interior wall of the unit separating the cathode chamber from the gel chamber, the second interior wall having a weakened portion thereof to allow breaking of said second interior wall;
• buffer residing within the anode chamber and the cathode chamber;
• a pre-cast flat gel matrix residing within the gel chamber, the pre-cast flat gel matrix directly contacting a bottom surface of the molded horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit, the pre-fabricated horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit being ready for use in performing gel electrophoresis;
• and
• an electrical connection between said reusable lid and said pre-fabricated monolithic electrophoresis unit to perform said gel electrophoresis.

A method for performing gel electrophoresis comprising:

• providing a pre-fabricated monolithic electrophoresis unit comprising:
• a molded horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit having a gel chamber residing between an anode chamber and a cathode chamber;
• a first interior wall of the unit separating the anode chamber from the gel chamber;
• a second interior wall of the unit separating the cathode chamber from the gel chamber;
• buffer residing within the anode chamber and the cathode chamber;
• a pre-cast flat gel matrix residing within the gel chamber, the pre-cast flat gel matrix directly contacting a bottom surface of the molded horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit;
• a unit seal on a top surface of the molded horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit;
• removing the unit seal;
• loading a target sample into the horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit;
• breaking the first and second interior walls to allow buffer enter the gel chamber from the anode and cathode chambers so that buffer covers the loaded pre-cast flat gel matrix;
• attaching a reusable lid to said top surface of said horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit;
• and
• performing electrophoresis to said pre-cast flat gel by providing an electrical connection through said reusable lid into said horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit.