44
E-Gel
™
Power Snap Electrophoresis System User Guide
Open the E-Gel
™
cassette with an E-Gel
™
Opener
1.
Place the E-Gel
™
Opener on a flat surface, with the knob extending off the edge of the
laboratory bench and facing the user.
2.
Set the E-Gel
™
Opener to its widest open position by turning the knob counterclockwise.
3.
Insert the E-Gel
™
into the E-Gel
™
Opener so that two opposing sides of the gel cassette
are aligned with the blades. Position the cassette such that the two sides fit into the
grooves housing the blades.
4.
Turn the knob clockwise to bring the blades in contact with the cassette. As the knob is
tightened, you will hear a series of pops.
5.
Continue to turn the knob until the resistance increases. Stop turning the knob as soon as
the cassette begins to lift off the surface of the platform. Two sides of the cassette will
now be unsealed.
Note
:
Once you observe the cassette begins to lift off the surface of the platform, do not
continue to tighten the knob as you will damage the E-Gel
™
agarose gel.
6.
Unscrew the knob and remove the cassette. You may have to carefully work the cassette
from the housing because the cassette fits snugly in the recessed groove
7.
Turn the cassette 90° and re-insert the cassette into the E-Gel
™
Opener to open the two
remaining sides.
8.
Repeat steps 4–5 to break the two remaining seals.
9.
Unscrew the knob and carefully remove the E-Gel
™
cassette. The 4 sides of the cassette
should be unsealed. If not, repeat Steps 2–5 as necessary.
Cleaning
and storage
After use, clean the E-Gel
™
Opener with mild detergent and water to remove any excess agarose
and plastic from the platform. Use a squirt bottle and wipe the platform dry with a clean tissue. Do
not insert your fingers into the area housing the blades, and do not immerse the E-Gel
™
Opener in
water as the blades may rust. Store the E-Gel
™
Opener at room temperature.
E-Gel
™
agarose gel disposal guidelines
•
Discard E-Gel
™
EX Agarose Gels, E-Gel
™
SizeSelect
™
Agarose Gels, and E-Gel
™
Go!
Agarose Gels as hazardous waste.
•
SYBR
™
Safe stain is not classified as hazardous waste under US Federal regulations, but
contact your safety office for appropriate disposal methods (see page 48).