ELA04/ELA05/ELA06/ELA07

This

vertical electrophoresis tank is a specialized apparatus used primarily for separating proteins or nucleic acids based on their size and charge. Unlike horizontal systems used for DNA gels, this tank holds gels vertically between two buffer chambers. Its core function is to provide a controlled electric field for the high-resolution separation of biomolecules.

The standard tank consists of two main compartments: an upper and a lower buffer reservoir, separated by the gel itself, which is cast between glass plates. An electrode (cathode in the upper chamber, anode in the lower) is immersed in each reservoir. When voltage is applied, charged molecules migrate from the upper chamber, through the gel matrix, toward the opposite electrode. The polyacrylamide gel acts as a molecular sieve, separating smaller molecules that move faster from larger, slower-moving ones.

This design is essential for techniques like SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis), the foundational method for analyzing protein mixtures. Key advantages include efficient heat dissipation—critical for maintaining stable conditions—and the ability to run multiple samples simultaneously in adjacent lanes. It is an indispensable tool in molecular biology, biochemistry, and proteomics labs for tasks ranging from analytical research to quality control testing.