Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is an essential component of any research laboratory performing biochemical tests. For this purpose, there are plenty of units available in the market. Quality, convenience, durability and cost are the factors which drive the decision-making process for most researchers. In my view, the Mini-PROTEAN® 3 Electrophoresis System satisfies all of these needs.
The Mini-PROTEAN® 3 consists of a casting stand, casting frame, gasket and a glass plate sandwich which is instrumental in polymerizing the polyacrylamide gel. This casting module eliminates the need for sealing with agar before pouring the gel. The glass plates come with fixed spacers which help to eliminate leaking. The clamping frame and electrode assembly are used to place the glass plates with polymerized gel for running. Combs of various types (comb for preparative gel, 6 and10 well combs, etc.) are available as accessories. The buffer tank looks attractive and performs the dual functions of running gels and transferring proteins onto membrane. The tank consists of a robust lid which can be connected to any of the Bio-Rad power supplies, namely the PowerPac™ Universal, PowerPac™ HC, PowerPac™ 200. The gel remover provided with the apparatus is ideal for removing the gels from the glass plates; we just have to cut the gel with the sharp front and then it can be placed in any required solution. The literature provided with the assembly provides instructions beginning with preparation of SDS-polyacrylamide gels.
The Mini-PROTEAN® 3 Electrophoresis System requires 120 ml of upper and 180 ml of lower tank buffer. It requires only 5 ml of acrylamide solution (containing Acrylamide, Bisacrylamide, Tris HCl pH 8.8, Buffer, Milli Q water, SDS, TEMED and APS), which we greatly appreciate as our older assembly from another company requires double the amount for the same size of gel (8 X 7.3 cm)
It is very easy to polymerize and run 2 gels simultaneously. And the resolution that we obtain from the gels is simply incomparable. Fine, straight and sharp bands are obtained now, which was not case with our previous apparatus. The Mini-PROTEAN® 3 cell also requires less maintenance (cleaning) as compared to conventional polymerization where agarose used for sealing and would sometimes clog the basin. In addition, there is no residual polyacrylamide left to dispose of after polymerization.
There is another side of the coin (which is relatively less significant): The spacers are already attached to the glass plates and hence, there is no flexibility in using the same glass plates for running gels of different thicknesses. Also, the polymerization accessories and the apparatus in general require more space as compared to our other apparatus. The glass plates are the only consumable and fragile. It would be great if non-breakable plates could be made which provided the same resolution of proteins. Also, the platinum wire is fixed to the apparatus so one has to take extra precautions while washing the apparatus to avoid breaking it. The buffer tank is to be handled carefully: If it falls on the ground, it cracks.
In any case, the most important feature is the resolution which is excellent. Considering all points, this apparatus is highly recommended for any biochemistry research laboratory.