Gel electrophoresis and transfer combination using conductive polymers and method of use

An apparatus for electrophoretic separation and blotting macromolecules, comprising:

• a first plate made of a transparent polymer;
• an electrically semi-conductive transparent layer adjacent to the first plate;
• a second plate substantially parallel to the first plate;
• an electrophoresis gel;
• and,
• a blotting membrane;
• wherein the electrophoresis gel is between the electrically semi-conductive transparent layer and the blotting membrane;
• and,
• wherein the blotting membrane is between the electrophoresis gel and the second plate.

A system for both electrophoretic separation and blotting macromolecules, comprising:

• a liquid receptacle tank having an upper buffer chamber and a lower buffer chamber, a front panel, rear panel, and bottom;
• a first separation phase electrode in the upper buffer chamber;
• a second separation phase electrode in the lower buffer chamber;
• a first blotting phase electrode;
• a second blotting phase electrode;
• a precast gel and membrane combination unit having (i) a first electrically semi-conductive plate made from a transparent conductive polymer, (ii) a second electrically semi-conductive plate made from a conductive polymer, the second electrically semi-conductive plate substantially parallel to the first electrically conductive plate, (iii) an electrophoresis gel, and (iv) a blotting membrane;
• and,
• a power supply, wherein the power supply is configured to apply a voltage to the first separation phase electrode and second separation phase electrode to perform electrophoretic separation of macromolecules along the electrophoresis gel, and wherein the power supply is configured to automatically switch a voltage from the first and second separation phase electrodes to the first and second blotting phase electrodes, whereby switching the voltage allows a user to perform electrophoretic separation of proteins and transfer of proteins onto the blotting membrane.

A method for separation and post-separation transfer of macromolecules to a blotting membrane, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an apparatus in a first orientation within a liquid receptacle tank, wherein the apparatus has a first electrically semi-conductive plate made of (i) a transparent semi-conductive polymer, (ii) second electrically semi-conductive plate made of a semi-conductive polymer, the second electrically semi-conductive plate substantially parallel to the first electrically semi-conductive plate, (iii) an electrophoresis gel, and (iv) a blotting membrane, wherein the electrophoresis gel is between the first semi-conductive plate and the blotting membrane, and wherein the blotting membrane is between the electrophoresis gel and the second electrically semi-conductive plate;
• separating macromolecules along the gel of the apparatus by applying a first electrical driving force to a pair of separation electrodes, wherein separating macromolecules along the gel occurs in the first orientation of the apparatus;
• discontinuing the first electrical driving force to the pair of separation electrodes;
• transferring macromolecules through the gel to the blotting membrane by applying a second electrical driving force substantially perpendicular to the first electrical driving force while maintaining the first orientation of the apparatus, thereby combining the steps of macromolecule separation and transfer to a blotting membrane in a single liquid receptacle tank without having to reorient the apparatus between the separating step and transferring step.