Bio-Rad Trans-Blot® Plus Cell - Manual (Page 7)

Section 2
Set up and Basic operation
2.1 Components
Buffer Tank and Lid
The buffer tank and lid combine to fully enclose the inner chamber during
electrophoresis. The lid cannot be removed without disrupting the electrical circuit.
Handles on both sides of the tank facilitate transport. Guide marks on the front and
back of the tank identify appropriate fill levels for transfer buffer. On the inside, the
tank has 5 separate slots for variable placement of the electrode cards and gel
holder cassettes and a designated space for the cooling coil. Multiple ports on the
lid allow three different connection points for the cathode (black) electrode card.
Gel Holder Cassettes
Each gel holder cassette has an overall effective blotting area of 26.5 x 28 cm.
The gel/membrane sandwich is placed into the cassette between two fiber pads,
which are also included. The gel holder cassette design includes three separate
clamps that ensure even pressure across the gel and membrane sandwich. A
detachable hinge mechanism prevents gel sandwiches from slipping during
assembly.
Super Cooling Coil
Coolant from a refrigerated circulator (see Additional Components) passes through
the Super cooling coil to cool the transfer buffer during high intensity or prolonged
runs.
Electrode Cards
The Trans-Blot Plus cell is supplied with a pair of plate electrodes- a platinum-coated
titanium anode and a stainless steel cathode. Both electrode cards are removable.
The anode plate (red) must be placed into the slot that is nearest the front face of the
buffer tank. The placement of the cathode plate (black) is variable; the cathode plate
may be positioned in either the third, fourth or fifth slot (4 cm, 7 cm, or 10 cm away
from the anode) for electrophoretic transfers of one, two, and three gel-containing
cassettes, respectively. The electrode cards are held in place in the tank with the
nylon screws (provided).
Roller
The roller is used to ensure proper contact between gel and membrane and to
remove trapped bubbles during sandwich assembly.
Stir bar
A 3" x ½" stir bar is included with the Trans-Blot Plus cell and should be used
during every electrophoretic run to maintain uniform conductivity and temperature
during transfer.
Drain Port and Quick-Connect Fitting
The drain port and quick-connect fitting on the side of the Trans-Blot Plus cell
facilitate draining the buffer from the tank after transfer. Remove at least half of the
transfer buffer volume prior to moving the tank.
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