Electrophoresis & Electrotransfer Devices, Systems & Methods

A system for performing gel electrophoresis comprising:

• a base comprising two chambers;
• each chamber configured to independently receive an electrophoresis cassette;
• each chamber configured to independently receive a clamp for securing the electrophoresis cassette to a surface of each chamber;
• each chamber having a first electrode connected at a common first electrode node;
• each chamber having a second electrode connected at a common second electrical node;
• a removable lid providing electrical connectivity to a power source;
• and
• the lid having electrical connectors to complete the circuit between the chamber electrodes when placed over the base.

A system for performing electrotransfer comprising:

• a base comprising:
• two chambers;
• a single first electrode spanning the two chambers of the base, connected to a first electrical node located on a top side of the base;
• a second electrode located in each chamber, the two second electrodes connected at a common second electrical node located on the top side of the base;
• each chamber configured to independently receive an electrotransfer cassette, the electrotransfer cassette comprising:
• two plates joined by at least one hinge configured to allow the two plates to move from an open position and a closed position;
• a slider operable to lock the two plates in the closed position and to seal the two plates in the closed position to form a liquid-proof seal on at least three sides;
• a second plate configured to receive components of a transfer stack on its interior side;
• and the external sides of the first plate and the second plate comprising at least one electrical connection each that is connected to an electrode located on the inside of each plate, wherein the electrical connections on the first and second plate are in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes of the chambers;
• and
• a removable lid that covers the base,
• the lid providing electrical connectivity to a power source;
• and
• the lid having electrical connectors that electrically connect with the electrical connections of the electrotransfer cassette to complete the circuit when the electrotransfer cassette is placed in the base and the lid covers the base.

A method of performing gel electrophoresis comprising:

• obtaining an electrophoresis cassette with a gel;
• removing a gel comb from the electrophoresis cassette;
• removing a strip of tape from the electrophoresis cassette;
• optionally rinsing the wells with water or running buffer;
• placing the electrophoresis cassette into at least one chamber of a system, with well openings of the gel oriented toward cathode electrode;
• placing a clamp into the chamber and clamping the gel cassette onto a portion of a surface of the chamber forming two independent buffer reservoirs, a cathode reservoir and an anode reservoir;
• pouring a buffer into the cathode reservoir;
• pouring a buffer into the anode reservoir;
• loading samples and optionally controls into the wells of the gel cassette;
• placing the lid of a system onto a tank;
• connecting the electrical connection on the lid to a power source;
• selecting a voltage and a time using a power supply;
• and performing electrophoresis on samples and controls.

A method for performing both electrotransfer and electrophoresis comprising:

• securing an electrophoresis cassette with a clamp in a first chamber of a system;
• loading a sample comprising biomolecules to be electrophoresed into the electrophoresis cassette;
• placing an electrotransfer cassette with a transfer stack having a gel with biomolecules and a transfer membrane onto which electrotransfer of biomolecules is desired into a second chamber of the system;
• selecting a voltage using a power supply device;
• and
• performing electrophoresis in the electrophoresis cassette and electrotransfer of biomolecules from the gel onto the transfer membrane, wherein each procedure is carried out at a different time since a common voltage is used.