Bio-Rad PROTEAN Plus Dodeca Cell User Manual

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3.5 Starting the electrophoresis run

Be sure to check the following:

• The gel is placed in the tank with the hinged side down. If you are using unhinged

PROTEAN II Ready Gel precast gels, be sure the greased side is down.

• The top of the gel is positioned next to the cathode (negative/black electrode card).
• The level of buffer in the tank is set just below (about 3 mm) the top of the plates. Make

certain the entire gel area is submerged in buffer.

Connect the Dodeca Cell to the PowerPac 200 power supply.

Recommended Running Conditions

200 V constant
~6 hours*
*The PowerPac 200 power supply may be at its power limit at the start of the run for the
25 cm gel size. Typically, within 30–60 minutes the current drops and the voltage
reaches 200 V.

Good laboratory practice: When running an application at constant current, a power or
voltage limit should be set. This also applies when running at constant voltage: set a current
or power limit. This will prevent extreme power conditions.

3.6 Removing the Gel

After the electrophoresis run is complete, turn off the power supply, the Buffer

Recirculation Pump and the refrigerated circulator, and remove a glass cassette from the
buffer tank using two hands.
Note: Do not bump or scratch the electrodes.

Place the gel cassette on the benchtop, short plate facing upward and the hinge to the left.

Insert the gel releaser between the short and long plate at the top right corner. Pull the gel
releaser up, lifting the short plate (Figure 3.6A).

Continue lifting the short plate until it is opened completely (180°). Do not open the

cassette past 180°, as this will strain the polymer hinge. In most cases the gel sticks to the
spacer plate.

Fig. 3.6A. Open the gel cassette.

Fig. 3.6B. Run gel releaser along each spacer to
loosen gel.

Run the gel releaser along each spacer to

release the gel from the spacer and prevent the
gel from tearing (Figure 3.6B).