Gel Tray & Bath

What are they and why do we use them? What types are there?

A gel tray is used for setting a gel for agarose electrophoresis. The gel bath is used for running the gel, holding the running buffer that the gel sits within.

There are plenty of name brand versions available, but these are obscenely priced for what they are. The only valuable part in this is the platinum wire that is in the electrodes. This may be able to be replaced with a graphite electrode to save money. Likewise, I prefer to build my own agarose electrophoresis chambers. This model from Maker Tobey can be resized to meet any gel needs you may have. You will need access to a 3D printer, laser cutter and hair dryer to make this.

When do you use?

For the agarose electrophoresis protocol!

How do you use?

Cast the gel in the gel tray by pouring molten agarose in while it is sealed with masking tape. Fill up the bath with 1x running buffer. Pour in a little 1x running buffer into the gel tray then remove the well comb (buffer helps prevent wells from collapsing, but it will get a little drippy). Remove the tape and wings from the gel and place it into the bath. Fill the bath until the running buffer is just over the top of the gel. Put on the lid and attach the wires to the electrodes of the tray and the DC power supply.