Bio-Rad High-Throughput Dodeca Gel Stainers User Manual
Dodeca
™
Stainer
Instruction Manual
Catalog Numbers
165-3400
165-3401
For Technical Service Call Your Local Bio-Rad Office or in the U.S. Call 1-800-4BIORAD (1-800-424-6723)
Table of Contents
Page
Safety
Section 1 Product Introduction.....................................................................1
1.1 Overview.....................................................................................................1
1.2 Size Availability...........................................................................................2
Section 2 Unpacking and Assembly.............................................................4
2.1 Unpacking the Unit .....................................................................................4
2.2 Unit Assembly ............................................................................................5
2.3 Components and Accessories ...................................................................6
Section 3 Operation........................................................................................9
3.1 Preparation .................................................................................................9
3.2 Dodeca Stainer Setup ................................................................................9
3.3 Transferring Gels to the Staining Trays .....................................................9
3.4 Staining Tray and Shaking Rack Assembly.............................................10
3.5 Placing the Shaking Rack into the Solution Tank....................................11
3.6 Filling the Solution Tank ...........................................................................12
3.7 Starting the Staining Procedure ...............................................................12
3.8 Draining the Solution Tank.......................................................................12
3.9 Unit Disassembly......................................................................................13
Section 4 Gel Handling and Storage ..........................................................13
4.1 Gel Handling.............................................................................................13
4.2 Gel Storage ..............................................................................................13
Section 5 Stain Solution Compatibility and Protocols.............................14
5.1 Bio-Safe Colloidal Coomassie Stain ........................................................14
5.2 SYPRO Ruby Protein Gel Stain...............................................................15
5.3 Dodeca Silver Stain Kit ............................................................................15
Section 6 Maintenance and Chemical Compatibility................................16
Section 7 Troubleshooting...........................................................................18
Appendix A Specifications ..............................................................................20
Appendix B Warranty and Ordering Information ..........................................21
Copyright © (2003) Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.
Safety
Caution/Warning
The shaking motion of the Dodeca stainer is controlled by the shaker motor
attached to the lid. The shaker motor is powered by an external 12V DC regulated
power adapter with universal input (included). The shaker motor control unit that
switches on the power to the shaker motor and controls the shaker speed contains
a 0.5 A type-T fuse.
The Dodeca stainers have passed tests for operation at temperatures between
ambient and 40° C, with relative humidity between 0 and 95% non-condensing.
Operating the Dodeca stainer outside these conditions is not recommended by
Bio-Rad and will void the warranty.
The following guidelines should be observed and followed when using a Dodeca
stainer.
1. Always connect the Dodeca stainer power adapter to a 3-prong, grounded AC
outlet, using the 3-prong AC power cord provided with the Dodeca stainer.
2. Do not operate the Dodeca stainer in extreme humidity (>95%) or where
condensation can short the internal electrical circuits of the shaker motor and
shaker motor control unit.
3. Disconnect the power adapter from the power outlet when not in use.
4. Do not remove the lid prior to turning off the power switch located on the shaker
motor control unit. This may result in damage to the components.
5. Do not detach the shaker motor from lid prior to turning off the power switch
located on the shaker motor control unit.
6. Keep all the electrical components dry, and to protect the electrical components
store them attached to the lid in the appropriate recessed areas.
Important
This instrument is intended for laboratory use only.
Bio-Rad’s Dodeca stainers are designed and certified to meet IEC 61010-1
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safety standards. Certified products are safe to use when operated in accordance
with the instruction manual.
This instrument should not be modified or altered in any way. Alteration of this
instrument will void the manufacturer’s warranty, void the IEC 61010-1 certification,
and create a potential safety hazard for the user.
Bio-Rad is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by the use of this
instrument for purposes other than those for which it is intended, or by modifications
of the instrument not performed by Bio-Rad or an authorized agent.
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IEC 61010-1 is an internationally accepted safety standard for laboratory instruments.
!
Section 1
Product Introduction
1.1 Overview
The Dodeca™ Stainer is a high-throughput gel staining device designed primarily
for large format 2-D polyacrylamide gels. The Dodeca stainer comes in two sizes,
large and small. Each size accommodates up to 12 gels (for gel size compatibility
see Tables 1A and 1B). By processing up to 12 gels, the Dodeca stainers match the
capacity of the PROTEAN IEF cell for first dimension isoelectric focusing and the
PROTEAN Plus Dodeca cell for second dimension separation to help streamline the
2-D gel electrophoresis workflow.
The Dodeca stainers have an integrated shaking mechanism (patent pending),
therefore no external shaking device is needed. The shaker motor, attached to the
lid, causes the shaking rack to oscillate. This oscillating motion results in equally
efficient staining of all twelve gels in the shaking rack. A shaker control unit, which
sits on the lid, contains the power switch and controls the oscillating speed.
The staining trays hold the gels in place during staining to prevent breakage.
Various tray configurations are available to provide the best fit for the selected gel
size (see Tables 1A and 1B). These trays are also used to transport gels throughout the laboratory. The stained gel easily slides off the open side of the staining
tray onto an imager or spot cutter platform.
The shaking rack holds up to 12 staining trays as a single unit for easy handling.
Built-in handles make it easy to place the shaking rack inside the solution tank. The
various staining solutions are added via the reagent access door built into the lid.
Reagent removal is achieved via two drain ports incorporated at the base of the
solution tank.
Fig. 1 A. Large Dodeca Stainer.
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1.2 Size Availability
The Dodeca stainer is available in two sizes to primarily optimize the staining
reagent volumes, and also to eliminate gel breakage due to excessive or constricted
movement. Each tank size has a dedicated shaking rack and staining trays with
optional tray attachments to accommodate various gel sizes.
Select the correct Dodeca stainer and staining tray size/configuration, and
determine if the tray attachments are needed from the table below.
Table 1 A. Gel Size Compatibility
Large Dodeca Stainer
Bio-Rad's Dodeca Stainer and Maximum
Second-dimension Staining Tray Number of gels
Gel Types Gel size (W x L) size/configuration accommodated
PROTEAN Plus 25.6 x 23 cm Large 12 (1 per tray)
precast gels
PROTEAN Plus 25 x 20.5 cm Large 12 (1 per tray)
handcast gels (each staining tray
(using the Hinged requires one tray
Spacer Plates) attachment2)
Small Dodeca Stainer
Bio-Rad's Dodeca Stainer and Maximum
Second-dimension Staining Tray Number of gels
Gel Types Gel size (W x L) size/configuration accommodated
PROTEAN Plus 20 x 20.5 cm Small 12 (1 per tray)
handcast gels
(using the
Hinged Spacer
Plates)
PROTEAN II XL 18.5 x 20 cm
precast or 18.3 x 19.3 cm
handcast gels
PROTEAN II xi 16 x 20 cm
precast or handcast 16 x 16 cm
gels
Criterion precast and 13.3 x 8.7 cm Small 24 (2 per tray)
handcast gels (each staining tray
requires one tray
attachment)
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The tray attachments are included with catalog numbers 165-3400 (large) and 165-3401 (small). They are also
available to order separately, see the ordering information in Appendix B, page 19.
Table 1 B. Gel/Tray Orientation
The following illustrations indicate the proper orientation to place the gels on
the staining trays. The illustration also shows the proper tray configuration for each
gel size as detailed in Table 1A.
Large Dodeca Stainer
Small Dodeca Stainer
Illustration Labels.
A. The "UP" label, molded into the staining trays, helps to properly orient the gels
on the trays and to stack the trays correctly in the shaking rack.
B. Tray attachment (see page 5 for detailed description).
C. IPG-well to load the ReadyStrip™ IPG strip.
D. Arrow indicates the direction of the gradient gel, from low %T down to high %T.
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B
B
A
C
D
Section 2
Unpacking and Assembly
2.1 Unpacking the Unit
When you receive the Dodeca stainer, carefully inspect the container for any
damage that may have occurred during shipping. Severe damage to the container
may indicate damage to the Dodeca stainer itself. If you suspect damage to the
unit contact Bio-Rad Laboratories (1-800-4BIO-RAD) or your local Bio-Rad office.
Contents include:
• Solution Tank, qty 1 • Shaker Motor, qty 1
• Shaking Rack, qty 1 • Power adapter and cord, qty 1
• Translucent Staining Trays, qty 12 • Gel Clip, qty 1
• White Development Tray, qty 1 • Instruction Manual
• Tray attachments, qty 12 • Warranty card
• Lid, qty • Declaration of conformity
• Shaker Control Unit (with cord to attach to the shaker motor), qty 1
Fig. 2.1 A. Small Dodeca stainer with the contents included in catalog #165-3401.
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Shaker Control Unit
Shaker Motor
Shaking Rack
Power Adapter
Tray Attachments
Instruction Manual
Gel Clip
White
Development Tray
Translucent
Staining Trays
Lid
2.2 Unit Assembly
2.2.1 Prior to assembly and use, wash the Dodeca stainer components (solution
tank, staining trays, and shaking rack) with a non-scratch pad and mild detergent followed by a complete rinse with distilled water. For additional maintenance guidelines and chemical compatibility information see section 6,
pages 14-15.
2.2.2 Place the Dodeca stainer on a level surface in a convenient location and
near a grounded electrical outlet. Position the Dodeca stainer so that the drain
ports in the solution tank are accessible. Proper location and position of the
tank is important, since once the tank is filled and in operation it should not
be moved.
2.2.3 Attach the shaker motor to the lid, by tightening the black thumbscrews.
Position the shaker motor so the small hook at the bottom and the plug
inlet at the top are facing the opposite direction from the reagent access
door.
2.2.4 Assembling the drainage system.
a. Remove the stopcocks and tubing from the bag.
b. Attach the ends of the short piece of tubing to the drain port fittings at
the base of the solution tank.
c. Add the white clamps over the short piece of tubing and drain port
fitting. Tighten the clamp to ensure a complete seal to prevent leaks.
Note: It may be easier to use pliers to tighten the white clamps.
d. Ensure the long piece of tubing reaches your desired receptacle/
reservoir.
e. Make sure the stopcocks are in the closed position prior to pouring in
any solutions.
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