Mini Gel Tank and Blot Module Set - FAQs

View additional product information for Mini Gel Tank and Blot Module Set - FAQs (NW2000)

16 product FAQs found

Can I prepare my protein sample with the reducing agent and store it for future use?

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.

My LDS or SDS sample buffer precipitates when stored at 4 degrees C. Can I warm it up? Can I store it at room temperature?

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.

What are the storage conditions for Bolt gels?

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.

Can I use the PowerEase Touch 120W Power Supply for transferring gels with the SureLock Tandem Midi Blot Module, Mini Gel Blot Module, or Novex Semi-Dry Blotter?

No, most transfer applications require high current and therefore, we recommend using a high current power supply like PowerEase Touch 350W Power Supply.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.

Can I run Bio-Rad gels in the Mini Gel Tank?

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.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.

Which mini gels can I run in the Mini Gel Tank?

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.

What comes with the Mini Gel Tank?

The Mini Gel Tank includes the Runner Tank, Cassette Clamps (left & right), Tank Base, Tank Lid, and Power Supply Adapters.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.

I am using the Mini Gel Tank and am not able to see the sample wells for loading the sample. Can you please suggest some tips?

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.

I have set up my gel to run in the Mini Gel Tank and have switched on the power supply, but my gel is not running and the current reading on the power supply is very low (close to zero). What is the problem?

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.

My gel run in the Mini Gel Tank is faster than normal with poor resolution. What is the problem?

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.

My Mini Gel Tank gel run is taking longer than usual. What is the problem?

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.

Can I purchase replacement parts for the Mini Gel Tank?

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.

How do you suggest cleaning the Mini Gel Tank?

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.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.

What is the tolerance of the Mini Gel Tank to organic solvents?

The Mini Gel Tank is not compatible with chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., chloroform), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., toluene, benzene) or acetone.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.

Can I use the XCell SureLock Mini Cell or Mini Gel Tank with the Precise Tris-HEPES gels?

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.

Which gel chamber should I use to run your Invitrogen Mini and Midi protein gels?

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.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Support Center.