Bio-Rad PROTEAN Plus Multi-Casting Chamber User Manual

PROTEAN®plus

Multi-Casting Chamber

Instruction Manual

Catalog Number

165-4160

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 Specifications .............................................................................................................1

Section 2 Preparing The Multi-Casting Chamber....................................................2

2.1 Loading the Chamber.................................................................................................2

2.2 Inlet Port Preparation .................................................................................................3

Section 3 Casting Gels ..................................................................................................4

3.1 Casting from the Top (Non-gradient Gels Only).......................................................4

3.2 Casting Gradient Gels ................................................................................................5

Section 4 Removing Gels, Storage and Use of the Gels............................................8

Section 5 Product Information....................................................................................9

Section 6 Reagents for Electrophoresis ......................................................................9

Section 1
General information

1.1 Introduction

The PROTEAN plus Multi-Casting Chamber allows four to twelve 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 mm gels
to be cast simultaneously for use in the PROTEAN plus Dodeca Cell. Monomer can be
introduced from the top or the bottom to prepare identical linear gradient or single percentage
gels. Cast gels can be stored up to 1 week at 4 ºC.

The PROTEAN plus Multi-Casting Chamber is not used to cast gels for the PROTEAN
II Cell. For this application, use the PROTEAN II xi Multi-Gel Casting Chamber, catalog
number 165-2025.

1.2 Specifications

Construction

Casting chamber fabricated acrylic
Sealing plate fabricated acrylic with captive, spring-loaded

screws

Gasket silicone tubing

Weight 3.9 kg

Approximate size 32cmx23cmx12cm

Gel size 20x20.5(WxL)cmand25x20.5(WxL)cmin

1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm thicknesses

PROTEAN plus hinged 26.8x22.5cm(WxL)
spacer plate size

Note: PROTEAN plus multi-casting chamber components are not compatible with chlorinated
hydrocarbons (e.g. chloroform), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. toluene, benzene), acetone,
glacial acetic acid, carbon tetrachloride, chromic acid (40%), diethyl ether, dimethyl
formamide, ethyl acetate, xylene, and ethanol. Use of such solvents voids all warranties. To
insure best performance of the multi-casting chamber, become fully acquainted with these
instructions before use. All components should be cleaned with a suitable laboratory detergent
(Bio-Rad’s Cleaning Concentrate, catalog number 161-0772), rinsed thoroughly with
distilled water, and dried before use.

1

2

Fig. 1. PROTEAN plus Multi-Casting Chamber.

Section 2
Preparing the Multi-Casting Chamber

2.1 Loading the Chamber

1. Loosen the thumb screws, remove the sealing plate, and place the open casting chamber

face up on the benchtop. The thumbscrew holes should face the ceiling.

2. Start by placing a separation sheet into the chamber so that it seats at the bottom. (Be

sure to remove the protective film from the separation sheet prior to use.)

3. Place the PROTEAN plus hinged spacer plate into the casting chamber body. It is easiest

to insert the plate at a slight angle, hinged side first. Lower the other side into the chamber

so the plate lays flat.

4. Place a separation sheet on top of the hinged spacer plate.

5. Repeat steps 3–4 until you have prepared the desired number of gel sandwiches.

6. Take up the remaining space in the multi-casting chamber with acrylic blocks and

separation sheets so that the sandwiches will be held firmly in position when the sealing

plate is in place.

Note: To insure a good seal, the entire stack should be made as flush as possible to the front
of the multi-casting chamber, and not extend beyond it. If you overfill the multi-casting chamber,
the sealing plate will not be able to create a good seal with the gasket. This causes the monomer
solution to leak during pouring, and glass plates within the stack may break.

Gasket

Thumb screws

Sealing plate

Inlet port with Luer connector

Casting
chamber