SDS-PAGE Enclosure

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

An SDS-PAGE Gel Enclosure holds the gel and allows for electrophoresis during the SDS-PAGE protocol. Similar to the Agarose Gel Electrophoresis gel enclosure, it consists of two parts'; a bath for the running buffer and an internal enclosure for holding the gel. Unlike agarose gels, the polyacrylamide gel is extremely thin and delicate and the parts of the gel holder tricky to replicate in a DIY manner. As such, you may be relegated to using an expensive commercial SDS-PAGE gel enclosure.

If I come across a cheap way to DIY one, I’ll post it here. Otherwise I’d recommend the BioRad one pictured above. It is delicate and prone to breakage - but it works well.

When do you use?

For the SDS-PAGE protocol!

How do you use?

Follow the SDS-PAGE protocol! Wear full PPE at all times as acrylamide is a potential carcinogen!