Bio-Rad Criterion Dodeca Cell - Manual (Page 9)

d. Invert the cassette and place the end of the Integral Buffer Chamber of the gel cassette on
the cassette-opening tool which is built into the Criterion Dodeca Cell tank. Holding the
cassette upside down with two hands, position one end of the integral buffer chamber
directly over the top of the wedge protrusion on the tank. Firmly press down on the
cassette to crack the cassette weld. Repeat for the other end of the integral buffer chamber.
First crack the weld on one side. Then crack the weld on the other side.
Note: Be careful not to squeeze the cassette in the middle. This may cause distortions or
other damage to the gel.
Do NOT squeeze the gel cassette in the middle.
e. Pull the two halves of the cassette apart to completely expose the gel. Be careful, the gel
may partially stick to both sides. Open slowly to avoid tearing the gel.
f. Remove the gel by either floating the gel into a fixing or staining solution, or by carefully
lifting the gel from the cassette while holding the bottom of the gel.
g. Repeat c–f for each gel in the tank.
2.5 Accessories for Cooling
The Criterion Dodeca Cell has a cooling coil with quick connect fittings that can be
connected to a refrigerated circulator. The refrigerated circulator must be able to maintain
the buffer temperature of 18 to 20 ºC in the tank during electrophoresis.
4 Tubing with 3/8" ID
(not included) connects the Dodeca Cell to the refrigerated circulator. To connect the Dodeca
Cell to the refrigerated circulator,
a) Insert the male fittings (supplied in a separate bag) into the tubing on the refrigerated
circulator inlet and outlet tubing.
4 For example, the refrigerated circulator used during development of the Dodeca Cell was set to 15 ºC and had a flow rate of 3.8 liters
per minute. Under these conditions and using the recommended volume of buffer, the buffer temperature during electrophoresis was
maintained at 18 to 20 ºC.
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