Hoefer SE215 User Manual

user manual

Hoefer Multiple
Gel Casters

SE215, SE235, and SE275

um   SE215-IM/Rev.L0/08-12

Contents

1. Multiple Gel Caster function ...............................1

2. Unpacking ........................................................ 2

3. Assembly ..........................................................2

Prepare the gel caster ........................................2

Construct the gel sandwich stack and

load into caster .................................................3

Prepare the monomer solution ............................6

Stacking gel preparation .................................... 8

Linear gradient gels ...........................................9

After Gel Polymerization ...................................12

4. Care and maintenance .....................................13

5. Troubleshooting ...............................................14

6. Ordering information ........................................ 16

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1. Multiple Gel Caster function

Multiple gel casters prepare gels that are for
use in a Hoefer® miniVE, SE250 or SE260 gel
electrophoresis unit. The caster model selected
depends on the electrophoresis unit used and the
number of gels to be prepared:

Table 1: Multiple Gel Caster/electrophoresis
unit compatibility guide

for use with 
      Hoefer gel 
    gel plate  electrophoresis 
Gel caster  no. of gels  size (cm)  unit:

SE215 4–10 10 × 8 SE250

SE235 2–4 10 × 10.5 SE260, miniVE

SE275 2–4 10 × 8 SE250

Fig 1. Multiple Gel Caster.
The faceplate seals against the
cylindrical silicone rubber gasket.

Included but not shown:

• Acrylic block

• Black vinyl cap for inlet port

• Polycarbonate filler sheets

• Glass and alumina plates

Accessories that may be  
ordered separately:

• Combs

• Spacers

• Additional plates

Acrylic casting
chamber

Silicone rubber
gasket

Filler plugs
(1 large,
2 small)

Spring clamps
(2 or 4, depending
on model)

Inlet port

Faceplate

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Note:  Wear gloves to keep
the caster and plates free of
finger marks.

2. Unpacking

Unwrap all packages carefully and compare
contents with the packing list, making sure all
items arrived. If any part is missing, contact
Hoefer, Inc. Inspect all components for damage
that may have occurred while the unit was in
transit. If any part appears damaged, contact the
carrier immediately. Be sure to keep all pack­ing material for damage claims or for repacking
should it become necessary to return the unit.

3. Assembly

All casters are assembled and used in the manner
described below. Both single concentration gel
and gradient gel instructions are included.

Prepare the gel caster

1

Prepare gel caster, plates and spacers by washing
with a mild detergent and rinsing thoroughly with
deionized water.

2

Periodically remove the U-shaped silicone rubber
gasket and inspect for nicks. If the gasket appears to
be intact, apply a light film of Gel seal lubricant to it
and replace: avoid stretching the gasket by laying it
onto the groove and pressing it into place. (Gel seal
is supplied with the SE250 and SE260 units.)

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Fig 2. Location of T-shaped
spacers on notched plate.

3

Single-concentration gels — Plug the red inlet port
near the bottom of the faceplate with the black vinyl
cap included with the unit. Check that the two small
semi-circular and one large triangular rubber filler
plugs, which reduce the amount of solution needed
to fill the chamber, are properly seated in the bottom.
The crosswise groove in the plug distributes the mono­mer solution to all gel sandwiches so that they fill to
the same level simultaneously.

Gradient gels — Remove the large triangular plug.
Check that the two smaller rubber filler plugs are
properly seated in the bottom of the chamber. Refer
to page 9 for gradient casting instructions.

Construct the gel sandwich stack and load into caster

1

Construct each gel sandwich: For each sandwich,
choose one notched alumina plate, one rectangular
glass plate and two spacers. Use the same size spac­ers for each sandwich.

Lay the notched plate on a flat surface, place one
spacer along each edge so that it aligns with the
notch. Fit a glass plate onto the spacers as shown.
The stem of the T-shaped spacers fits between both
plates. The top of the T forms the edge of the gel
sandwich, (Fig 2).

(Alternatively, assemble the sandwich while it is in
a standing position.)

Fig 3. Align bottom edges of plates
and spacers carefully.

2

Pick up each sandwich and align both sides with the
spacers and also the bottom on a flat surface, (Fig 3).

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Face plate

Polycarbonate
sheet

Fig 4. Stack components

(Load from bottom up; Fillers are
added after sandwiches are in
place to adjust stack height)

• Polycarbonate sheet. (Acts as
lever for adding fillers below
the stack. Aids in inserting filler
blocks and disassembling the
stack.)

• Sheet of wax paper (not visible
on drawing). Repeat as needed
to fill the caster.

• Gel sandwich

• Face plate

Gel
sandwich

3

Build the stack  in the caster. 

(All components fit flush against the bottom and one
side.) Place a polycarbonate sheet in the caster so that
2/3 of the sheet lays within the caster and the rest
extends out of the top. (This will act as a lever when
inserting filler sheets once all sandwiches are in place.)

Place a sheet of wax paper onto the polycarbonate
sheet. (The wax paper makes it easier to disassemble
the stack.) Slide the first sandwich into the caster
along one side, notched plate side down and notched
side pointing toward the open end of the caster (top
when filled). Repeat with all sandwiches, building
the stack by layering sheets of wax paper and gel
sandwiches, all oriented the same way. Over the final
sandwich, lay a sheet of polycarbonate instead of wax
paper so that you can observe the liquid level when
pouring the gel solution, (Fig 4).

Notes:

•  Inspect glass for nicks. Use only unchipped plates.

• Work on a flat surface for best results.

• Clean off the acrylamide film from both sides of
each polycarbonate sheet.

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gel  number
caster  of clamps

SE215, SE275 2

SE235 4

4

If pouring fewer gels than the capacity of the caster,
lift up the polycarbonate sheet at the bottom of the
stack and slide in fillers such as the acrylic block,
polycarbonate sheets, or extra glass plates until the
stack is approximately 1 mm higher than the chamber
sides. (Once fillers are in place, slide the polycarbon­ate sheet in so that it is level with all other stack
components.)

(The stack must be slightly thicker than the space so
that the stack compresses slightly when the faceplate
is clamped in place. If the stack is too tall, a glass
plate may break or the caster won’t seal properly, but
if the stack is too short, the spacers may fall out of
alignment or the stack will not stay vertical.)

5

Lay the faceplate on the casting chamber, aligning it
so that is flush with all sides. Pick up the assembled
unit and check that the gasket compresses slightly.

6

Secure the stack with either 2 or 4 clamps (see
adjacent table). Open the jaws of the spring clamp,
then position the longer side jaws on the faceplate.
When the clamp is released, the short jaw seats in the
groove on the casting chamber side and the long jaw
seats in the groove on the faceplate.

2 clamps — position each clamp in the middle of
the faceplate.
4 clamps — Slide the top clamp upward to fit
against the end of the groove on the front panel.

7

Stand the assembled caster upright and inspect.
Check that the gasket forms a tight seal and is not
unduly deformed. Check that the stack fits snugly and
that the plates and spacers are still aligned; adjust
if necessary.

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