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View additional product information for Mini Gel Tank - FAQs (A25977)
25 product FAQs found
DTT is not stable, so it must be added and the reduction performed just prior to loading your samples.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Gel 1D Electrophoresis Support Center.
Precipitation of the LDS or SDS at 4 degrees C is normal. Bring the buffer to room temperature and mix until the LDS/SDS goes into solution. If you do not want to wait for it to dissolve, you can store the sample buffer at room temperature.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Gel 1D Electrophoresis Support Center.
Similar to NuPAGE gels with storage temperatures of 4 to 25 degrees C.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
The most common power supplies from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bio-Rad, and Hoefer are compatible. Also, power supply adapters are available for power supplies not designed for use with covered or non-retractable power leads. Thermo Fisher Owl branded gel tanks are not compatible
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
Yes, NativePAGE gels are compatible with our Mini Gel tank, however there is a small variation from the original protocol.
The following protocol are for using NativePage gels with the Mini Gel Tank depending on if you are also performing a western transfer or not:
If you are NOT performing a western transfer:
1. Prepare 250 mL of each buffer (Anode and Dark Blue Cathode) per gel
2. After inserting a loaded NativePAGE gel into the Mini Gel Tank and pulling the clamp forward, fill the front cathode buffer chamber to the Fill Line with Dark Blue Cathode Buffer (~200 mL per gel)
3. Add 220 mL of Anode Buffer to the back anode buffer chamber for that gel. Start the gel run
If you are performing a western transfer:
1. Prepare 250 mL of Dark Blue Cathode Buffer, 250 mL of Light Blue Cathode Buffer, and 500 mL of Anode Buffer per gel
2. After inserting a loaded NativePAGE gel into the Mini Gel Tank and pulling the clamp forward, fill the front cathode buffer chamber to the Fill Line with Dark Blue Cathode Buffer (~200 mL per gel
3. Add 220 mL of Anode Buffer to the back anode buffer chamber for that gel
4. Start the gel run; pause the run after the dark blue dye has run ~1/3 of the way through gel
a. Pour out the buffers from the Mini Gel Tank
b. Refill the back anode buffer chamber with 220 mL of Anode Buffer per gel
c. Fill the front cathode buffer chamber to the Fill Line with Light Blue Cathode Buffer (~200 mL per gel)
5. Resume the gel run
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Biology Support Centers .
We recommend keeping the cassette clamp out and leaving it dry/empty. So, do not fill any running buffer in the second chamber.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
No. Bio-Rad gels are of a different size (length, width, and depth) and have a special feature that precludes them from fitting in the Mini Gel Tank.
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All Novex, NuPAGE, and Bolt mini gels can be run in the Mini Gel Tank, including:
- NuPAGE Tris-Acetate Protein Gels
- 10 cm Bolt Bis-Tris Plus Gels
- NuPAGE Bis-Tris Protein Gels
- Novex Tricine Protein Gels
Note: Refer to the user manual for specific run conditions for each gel type.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
The Mini Gel Tank includes the Runner Tank, Cassette Clamps (left & right), Tank Base, Tank Lid, and Power Supply Adapters.
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The Mini Blot Module is designed exclusively for the Mini Gel Tank. It will also fit in the Bolt Mini Gel Tank (discontinued as of December 31, 2014) but will not fit in the XCell SureLock Mini Cell or other vendors' electrophoresis tanks.
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Due to the universal electrode design, the Mini Blot Module fits on either side of the Mini Gel Tank.
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Yes, we offer the Mini Blot Module (Cat. No. B1000), designed to be used with the Mini Gel Tank. This blot module will also work with the Bolt Mini Gel Tank (discontinued as of December 31, 2014). Please note that the Bolt Mini Blot Module (discontinued as of December 31, 2014) is also compatible with both the Bolt Mini Gel Tank and the Mini Gel Tank.
Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels can also be transferred using the XCell SureLock Mini Cell, iBlot Dry transfer system, or using the Invitrogen Semi-Dry Blotter.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
We recommend marking the cassette at the bottom of the wells with a marker pen prior to placing the cassette in the electrophoresis tank.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
Here are possible causes and solutions:
- Tape left on the bottom of the cassette. Remove tape from bottom of cassette.
- Connection to power supply not complete. Check all connections with a voltmeter for conductance.
- Insufficient buffer level. Make sure there is sufficient buffer in the electrophoresis tank to cover the wells of the gel.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
Here are possible causes and solutions:
- Buffers are too concentrated or incorrect. Check buffer recipe; dilute or re-make if necessary.
- Current is set at a higher limit. Decrease current to recommended running conditions (see Page 8 of the manual).
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
Here are possible causes and solutions:
- Buffers are too dilute. Check buffer recipe; remake if necessary.
- Buffer chamber is leaking. Make sure the cassette clamp is firmly seated, the gaskets are in place and the cassette clamp is locked.
- Current is set too low. Set correct current.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
Here are the replacement parts we offer for the Mini Gel Tank:
Replacement part - Cat. No.
Gel Runner Tank - B4478641
Mini Gel Tank Lid - A25944
Mini Gel Tank Base - A25950
Cassette Clamp, left - A25946
Cassette Clamp, right - A25945
Cassette Clamp Cam Handle Set - A26732
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
Here are our recommendations:
- When electrophoresis is complete, dispose of the buffer appropriately. Rinse the tank with water to remove residual buffer.
- Clean the surface of the Mini Gel Tank with a soft non-abrasive, lint-free cloth dampened with water.
- Do not use harsh detergents or solvents to clean the unit.
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The Mini Gel Tank is not compatible with chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., chloroform), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., toluene, benzene) or acetone.
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The Precise Tris-HEPES gels are compatible with the XCell SureLock Mini Cell or Mini Gel Tank when used with adaptor plates.
Note: Two adaptor plates are required when running just one gel and one adaptor plate is required when running two gels using the XCell SureLock Mini Cell or Mini Gel Tank.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
Our Original Bolt Bis-Tris Plus Mini gels (Cat. No. BGxxxxxBOX, discontinued as of December 31, 2014) can only be run in the Bolt Mini Gel Tank (discontinued as of December 31, 2014, and will be offered until inventory is depleted).
Our New Bolt Bis-Tris Plus Mini gels (Cat. No. NWxxxxxBOX), as well as our Invitrogen Mini gels and NuPAGE Mini gels can be run using the Mini Gel Tank, or XCell SureLock Mini-Cell. To run these gels using the Bolt Mini Gel Tank (discontinued as of December 31, 2014), upgrading of the tank is necessary by replacing the black 10.5 cm cassette clamp cam handles with gray 10 cm cassette clamp cam handles (Cat. No. A26732, Cassette Clamp Cam Handle Set). Instructions for replacement of the cam handles can be found here (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/protein-biology/protein-gel-electrophoresis/protein-gel-electrophoresis-chamber-systems/mini-gel-tank/resources-upgrading-bolt-mini-gel-tank.html).
Our Midi gels can be run using the XCell4 SureLock Midi-Cell.
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Here are some causes and solutions for wavy dye fronts:
1) Difference in buffer level between the inner and outer buffer chambers: Both buffer chambers must be filled up to the electrode with wells completely covered. This will not only prevent leaks from the inside to the outside but will also act a heat sink and prevent wavy dye fronts.
2) Using running buffer that was diluted more than 1X: We recommend using 1X running buffer.
3) Using old running buffer: Make sure that the running buffer is fresh and don't reuse the running buffer.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
It is likely that the Bolt gel cassette was inserted backwards into the unit (large plate facing the front and the wells facing the back) even though this is pretty difficult to do. When the gel is inserted backwards, the current flows from the bottom of the gel to the top, resulting in the samples running in the opposite direction. Reversing of the leads will switch the direction of the gel run, however, this will cause the current to flow from the anode to the cathode. The cathode electrode is made of stainless steel with platinum coating, and the anode electrode is made of platinum wire. Flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode will result in rusting of the steel core. On the other hand, when the leads are connected properly, the electrons flow from the cathode to the anode and the recipient of the electrons is the platinum wire that does not rust.
Note: When the Bolt gel cassette is inserted properly into the Bolt Mini Gel Tank or Mini Gel Tank, the lettering (gel type, SKU and expiration date) printed on the gel cassette reads from left to right (please see Page 11 of the manual (https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/mini_gel_tank_man.pdf).
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
Here are possible causes and solutions:
1) Buffers are too concentrated or incorrect: Check buffer recipe; dilute or remake if necessary
2) Current is set at a higher limit: Decrease current to recommended running conditions.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.
Here are possible causes and solutions:
1) Tape left on the bottom of the cassette: Remove tape from bottom of cassette.
2) Connection to power supply not complete: Check all connections with a voltmeter for conductance.
3) Insufficient buffer level: Make sure there is sufficient buffer in the electrophoresis tank to cover the wells of the gel.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.