Bio-Rad PROTEAN Plus Dodeca Cell User Manual

PROTEAN Plus

™

Dodeca™Cell

Instruction Manual

Catalog Numbers

165-4150
165-4151

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

Section 1 General Information.........................................................................................1

1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................1

1.2 Safety .....................................................................................................................2

Section 2 Setting up the PROTEAN plus Dodeca Cell for the first time ................3

2.1 Unpack the cell ......................................................................................................3

2.2 Components ...........................................................................................................3

2.3 Setting up the buffer recirculation pump ................................................................5

2.4 Additional required components ............................................................................7

Section 3 Preparing for Electrophoresis

........................................................................7

3.1 Buffer preparation ..................................................................................................7

3.2 Gel preparation.......................................................................................................8

3.3 IPG Strips preparation and loading.........................................................................9

3.4 Cell assembly .............................................................................................10

3.5 Starting the electrophoresis run............................................................................12

3.6 Removing the gel .................................................................................................12

Section 4 Maintenance

.....................................................................................................13

Section 5 Troubleshooting Guide

..................................................................................14

Section 6 Product Information and Accessories

........................................................15

Section 7 Warranty Information

...................................................................................17

Section 1
General Information

1.1 Introduction

The PROTEAN Plus Dodeca Cell* is a multi-cell for polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
It is primarily intended to run immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips for the second dimension
of 2-D electrophoresis. It runs one to twelve large format gels simultaneously. The
PROTEAN Plus Dodeca cell system includes the Buffer Recirculation Pump that aids in
maintaining a constant temperature during the electrophoresis experiment. This system uses
the new PROTEAN Plus hinged spacer plates. These plates are strategically sealed at one
side with a silicon strip to create a hinged cassette. The hinge is required to prevent current
leakage and to achieve optimal results.

Specifications of the PROTEAN Plus Dodeca Cell

Tank and lid Acrylic
Anode Platinum-coated titanium plate electrode
Cathode Stainless steel plate electrode
Drain line Braided PVC
Drain line connectors Polypropylene
Cooling core Ceramic
Cooling core connector tubing Braided PVC
Manifold tubing Tygon tubing 1/4" ID (required for PROTEAN II

precast and handcast gels)

Buffer coil Acrylic
Gaskets Silicone rubber
Maximum buffer volume 22.5 liters (plate width: 27cm)
Minimum buffer volume 16.8 liters (plate width: 20cm)
Overall size (LxHxW)

Tank and lid 39.5 x 34.5 x 34.5 cm

Pump 19.5 x 12 x 17.5 cm
Precast gel compatibility PROTEAN II Ready gel precast gels with IPG comb
Handcast gel compatibility PROTEAN Plus hinged spacer plates

PROTEAN II 20 x 20 cm glass plates

Hinged spacer plate dimensions 26.8 x 22.5 cm; 26.8 x 20.5 cm
Slab gel dimension 25 x 20.5 cm; 20 x 20.5 cm; 18.5 x 20 cm; or

18.3 x 19.3 cm

Power safety limits 1000V, 250W
Weight 17.5 kg

*Patent pending

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2

Specifications of the Buffer Recirculation Pump

Number of channels 1

Flow rate range 0 - 1.5 liters/min, as measured with 3/8" tubing and

water. Flow rate will vary with tubing diameter,
buffer viscosity, and line voltage.

Maximum counterpressure ~ 10 psi

Motor Self-priming oscillating pump

Power requirements 120 VAC, 60 Hz

220 VAC, 50 Hz

Maximum ambient temperature limit 40

°C

Fuses required 100/120 V use .25 A type T

220/240 V use .125 A type T

Dimensions 19 cm x 12.7 cm x 18 cm (W x D x H)

Weight 2.9 kg

Note: Dodeca cell components are not compatible with acetone or ethanol. Use of organic
solvents voids all warranties.

1.2 Safety

Power to the PROTEAN Plus Dodeca cell is supplied by an external DC voltage power
supply (not included). The output of the power supply must be isolated from external ground
to insure that the DC voltage output floats with respect to ground. All Bio-Rad power supplies
meet this important safety requirement. Regardless of the power supply used, the maximum
specified operating parameters for the PROTEAN Plus Dodeca cell are as follows:

1000 VDC voltage limit

250 watts power limit

40 °C ambient temperature limit

The current to the cell enters the unit through the lid assembly that provides a safety interlock
to the user. Always turn off the power supply before removing the lid. Do not attempt to use the

cell without the safety lid.

Important: This Bio-Rad product is designed and certified to meet *EN61010-1 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 warranty

• Void the EN61010-1 certification, and

• Create a potential safety hazard

Bio-Rad is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by 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.

*EN61010-1 is an internationally accepted electrical safety standard for laboratory instruments.

Section 2
Setting up PROTEAN Plus Dodeca Cell for the first time

2.1 Unpack the cell

The complete PROTEAN Plus Dodeca Cell arrives in two boxes: The tank, lid, instructions
and all required tubing are in one box, and the buffer recirculation pump is in a separate box.

PROTEAN Plus hinged spacer plates and combs are ordered separately and are
individually packaged.

Carefully remove all components and inspect for damage.

2.2 Components

To get the best performance from your PROTEAN Plus Dodeca cell, familiarize yourself
with the components by assembling and disassembling the cell before using it.

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.

3

ELECTRODE
CARD
(CATHODE)

CATHODE

MANIFOLD
TUBING

MANIFOLD

ANODE

BUFFER EXHAUST TUBE

ELECTRODE CARD
(ANODE)

GASKET ASSEMBLY

BUFFER COIL

CERAMIC
COOLING
CORE

REFRIGERATED
CIRCULATOR
PATH

BUFFER
RECIRCULATION
PUMP PATH

Ceramic cooling core Coolant from a refrigerated circulator passes

through the ceramic cooling core to cool the
buffer during the electrophoresis run. An
ethylene glycol:water (20:80) solution is
recommended as coolant.

Buffer Recirculation Pump The self-priming oscillating pump pulls buffer

from the top of the cell and refills from the
bottom of the cell through the buffer coil to
maintain a constant temperature in the cell.

Buffer coil The buffer coil sits on the bottom of the

Dodeca Cell. The small holes in the coil
release buffer around the ceramic cooling cores
and into the Dodeca Cell.

Buffer exhaust tube The buffer exhaust tube connects to the lid of

the Dodeca Cell via a quick-connect fitting.
The other end connects to the inlet of the
Buffer Recirculation Pump.

Electrode cards Plate electrodes are attached to the electrode

cards for easy removal. The anode is made
of platinum-coated titanium and the cathode
is made of stainless steel. DO NOT reverse
the direction of the current, as this will
damage the electrode.

Gasket Assembly This assembly contains the rubber gaskets that

hold the gel cassettes in position. The rubber
gaskets are mounted on an acrylic support for
easy removal. The tank has three positions for
the gasket assemblies: a single position on the
anode side and two positions on the cathode
side to accommodate different gel sizes.

Manifold The manifold in the lid is part of the buffer

recirculation system.

Manifold tubing The manifold tubing is required for proper buffer

recirculation. The manifold tubing is eleven
pieces of Tygon tubing that attach to the black
fittings of the manifold in the lid of the Dodeca
cell. The manifold tubing is necessary when
running Ready Gel precast gels or handcast gels
in PROTEAN II plates. These plates are shorter
and therefore the buffer level is lower in the tank.
Since the buffer level does not reach the black
fittings, the manifold tubing is required to extend
into the buffer so it can be properly recirculated.

Note: ALL eleven pieces of tubing must be used
when running any number of precast or handcast
PROTEAN II gel cassettes.

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