Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN® Tetra Cell - Manual (Page 5)

1
Section 1
General Information
1.1 Introduction
The Mini-PROTEAN
® Tetra cell runs both handcast gels and Ready
Gel ® precast gels interchangeably. The Mini-PROTEAN Tetra
system includes a casting stand and glass plates with permanently
bonded gel spacers that simplify handcasting and eliminate leaking
during casting. The cell can run one or four gels, and the mini
tank is compatible with other Bio-Rad electrode modules for tank
blotting, 2-D electrophoresis, and electroelution.
1.2 Components
To get the best performance from your Mini-PROTEAN Tetra
Cell, familiarize yourself with the components by assembling and
disassembling the cell before using it (refer to Figures 1 and 2).
Spacer Plate The spacer plate is the taller glass plate
with permanently bonded gel spacers.
Spacer plates are available in 0.75 mm, 1.0
mm, and 1.5 mm thicknesses, which are
marked directly on each spacer plate.
Short Plate The short plate is the shorter, flat glass
plate that combines with the spacer plate
to form the gel cassette sandwich.
Casting Frame The casting frame, when placed on the
benchtop, evenly aligns and secures the
spacer plate and the short plate together
to form the gel cassette sandwich prior to
casting.
Gel Cassette Assembly One casting frame, a spacer plate, and a
short plate form one gel cassette assembly.
Casting Stand The casting stand secures the gel cassette
assembly during gel casting. It contains
pressure levers that seal the gel cassette
assembly against the casting gaskets.
Gel Cassette Sandwich A spacer plate and short plate with
polymerized gel form a gel sandwich.
Buffer Dam The molded, one-piece buffer dam is used
when running only one or three gels.