Bio-Rad Whole Gel Eluter and Mini Whole Gel Eluter - Manual (Page 3)

Section 1
General Information
1.1 Introduction
The Whole Gel Eluter provides an alternative method for recovering samples from SDS
and Native PAGE slab gels. It is a preparative electrophoresis instrument which allows simul-
taneous electro-elution of multiple protein bands separated on a polyacrylamide gel. Elution
is in the transverse direction, through the thickness of the gel. Proteins are eluted into narrow
chambers with each of these fractions containing individual or multiple protein bands.
The eluter consists of a solid acrylic base, a drop-in bottom electrode, an elution cham-
ber core, an upper plate/spring electrode and a lid. The Whole Gel Eluter comes in two sizes.
The large format accommodates slab gels up to 20 cm long and the small format is designed
for mini-gels (Mini-PROTEAN
® II and Ready Gels). Filter paper and a cellophane sheet are
placed between the bottom electrode and the elution chamber core. The gel is sandwiched
between the top of the elution chamber core and the spring electrode. During elution, the pro-
teins are captured in one of the 30 elution chambers of the large eluter or one of the 14 cham-
bers of the mini eluter.
One important application for this instrument is the purification and subsequent direct
screening of protein mixtures. Andersen and Heron describe a direct cellular analysis of a
complex protein mixture for biological activity.
1 The eluter acts as an electrodialyzer remov-
ing SDS from protein, leaving them in a non-toxic physiological buffer that can then be used
directly in a cellular assay. The Rotofor
® and Prep cell are recommended for larger scale elec-
trophoretic protein purification.
Simple procedures are provided in this manual for optimizing elution conditions. It is
recommended that these procedures be performed for each new sample and when making
changes to slab gel electrophoresis conditions.
1.2 Specifications
Construction
Base acrylic/polycarbonate insert
Elution chamber core acrylic/polycarbonate insert
Bottom electrode platinum coated titanium plate
Upper plate/spring electrode acrylic/platinum coated titanium plate
Lid polycarbonate
Cutting template acrylic
Consumables Large Mini
Upper filter paper 50 sheets 50 sheets
Lower filter paper 75 sheets 50 sheets
Sealing tabs 50 tabs 50 tabs
Cellophane membrane 25 sheets 25 sheets
Other Specifications Large Mini
Shipping weight 9.25 lb 4.75 lb
Overall size 5.0” H x 6.0” W x 6.0” D 5.0” H x 10.5” W x 10.5” D
Voltage limit 300 volts 200 volts
Power limit 15 watts 10 watts
Elution sample volume ~3 ml ~0.5 ml
1