Gel electrophoresis slide drying

Apparatus for drying a gel electrophoresis slide comprising,

• a housing having a generally rectangular recess therein,
• connection means within said recess providing a conduit connecting to a vacuum producing means,
• means for generating a flow of heated air within said housing, said housing including a plurality of openings within said rectangular recess permitting said heated air to flow therethrough,
• first and second subassemblies for holding an electrophoresis slide during a two-step drying process, each of said subassemblies being formed to fit, one at a time, within said housing recess,
• said first subassembly including a tray having one open side,
• a planar porous surface slide support means,
• a ribbed support member in said tray supporting a planar porous surface in spaced apart parallel relation to the side of said tray opposite said open side and coextensive with said open side, for mounting the electrophoresis slide to be dried, and
• a cover member for said tray, said cover member including a resilient surface pad forming a substantially vacuum tight seal with said tray, said tray having a connection therein for coupling to said vacuum connection within said housing.