The FisherBiotech Vertical Electrophoresis System is available in 3 different sizes, depending on what size gel you would like to run. You have a choice of 10x10 cm, 16x14 cm, or 20x20 cm gel size and only the latter does not include a gel caster (although it is available for purchase separately). This system is double-sided so you can run 2 gels simultaneously; it also comes with a blocking plate for single gel operation. Included with each system are spacers and combs for the gels. A variety of different spacers, to change the gel thickness, and different combs, to change the number of wells, are available as optional accessories. This system uses a simple sliding clamp assembly and is virtually leak-proof once assembled. An interlocking safety lid comes with the power cords already attached and has an asymmetric shape to prevent the mismatching of electrodes.
I have used this system quite frequently over the past 2 years. At first, I found it difficult to figure out how exactly to pour the gels without them leaking all over the place. Pouring the gels requires special pouches that hold the acrylamide during polymerization, eliminating the need for an agarose plug (which is necessary in similar casters). Assembling the gel plates, spacers, and spacer plate the correct way and placing them inside the pouch was somewhat tricky initially. It was difficult to keep everything together inside of the gel pouch and tighten it into place properly. As soon as I would try to pour the acrylamide, it would leak thru the plates and fill up the bag. There is somewhat of a learning curve associated with the assembly of the caster and pouring of gels; however, once I got the hang of it, leaking of the acrylamide became a non-issue. I definitely would try setting up the entire casting apparatus and try ‘pouring’ a gel using water to practice and make sure it is not leaking. I really like the fact that this system allows for the pouring of more than one gel at a time and the bags are heat-sealable for storage. There also is a built-in leveling bubble on the caster itself that helps to eliminate crooked gels.
As far as running the gels, the system is very easy to assemble and use. As I mentioned earlier, the sliding clamp assembly is fairly simple to figure out (the instruction manual had gone missing before I arrived in this lab and I figured it out without it) and is virtually leak-proof. As with most systems, there is an upper and a lower chamber for the running buffer and I think this one requires less buffer than most, about 450 mL for the 16x14 cm system. The biggest downside to this system is that it has an internal ‘cooling core’ that requires an external cooling system. The company says that it is optional but I have found that it is absolutely necessary to prevent ‘smiling’ gels.
Ashley Cox, MS
Senior Research Assistant
U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research
Hemostasis Team