Bio-Rad Sub-Cell® Model 192 Cell - Manual (Page 11)

base stage or UVTP tray. The following instructions describe how to manipulate the comb and
comb holder for obtaining comb height and comb holder position on a UVTP tray or base stage.
Adjusting and Setting Comb Height
1. Loosen the five thumbscrews from the front plate of the comb holder.
2. Align the slots of the well-forming comb with the thumbscrews on the comb holder. Insert
the slots over the shaft (threaded portion) of the thumbscrews and tighten until the flat head
(shoulder) of the screws come in contact with the comb.
3. Place the comb holder assembly on the cell base or UVTP tray and adjust the height of
the comb to the desired distance from the surface of the base stage or tray (typically 1-2 mm).
Tighten all five screws once the full-length of the comb is at a uniform distance from the
base stage or tray.
Adjusting and Setting Comb Position on UVTP Tray or Base Stage
1a. Turn the two thumbscrews clockwise on the sides of the comb holder until resistance is
felt. With the screws in this position, the comb holder can be placed into the comb slots
of the base and UVTP tray for gel casting.
OR
1b. Turn the two thumbscrews counterclockwise on the sides of the comb holder until the
shaft (threaded portion) of the thumbscrews can no longer be seen in the comb holder
notches. With the screws in this position, this will allow the comb holder assembly to be
placed anywhere on the base or UVTP tray. The comb can be secured to the tray or base
by turning the thumbscrews clockwise until resistance is felt.
2.3 Procedures for Casting Agarose Gel Slabs
There are several ways to cast agarose submarine gels for the Model 96 and Model 192.
Gels may be cast with or without UV-transparent plastic (UVTP) trays directly on the stage
of the Sub-Cell bases using the gel casting gates. Gels may also be cast on UVTP trays with
the aid of the gel caster or with standard laboratory tape.
Casting Gels on the Base Stages
1. Level the Sub-Cell base using the leveling bubble provided.
2. Slide the gel casting gates into the slots at opposite ends of the gel stage.
3. Place the comb(s) into the appropriate slot(s) of the base so that the sample wells are near
the cathode (black) (refer to Section 2.2 for comb adjustments). DNA samples will migrate
towards the anode (red) during electrophoresis.
4. When the solution of agarose has cooled to 60 °C (Section 2.1), pour the molten agarose
between the gates.
Warning: Hot agarose (>60 °C) may cause the cell to warp or craze and will decrease the
lifetime of the cell. Warping may also result in sample wells of uneven depth.
5. Allow 30 – 60 minutes for the gel to solidify at room temperature.
6. Carefully remove the comb and then remove the gel casting gates from the gate slots of
the base.
7. Submerge the gel beneath 4 to 6 mm of electrophoresis buffer (Section 3.1).
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