| 摘要 |
An electrophoresis device includes first and second end reservoirs of buffer, and a separation tank between the end reservoirs. The separation tank fluidically interconnects the reservoirs and is configured to hold a stack of gel trays in an oriented electric filed and covered by the buffer solution. At least one gas-driven fluid recirculation passage distinct form the separation tank drives in one direction between the reservoirs, and stabilizes the buffer below the level of the trays, while stabilized buffer is free to complete its circulation between plural ones of the stacked trays without thermal or chemical upset of the electrophoresis conditions over time. The recirculation assembly may include a hood positioned to capture gas bubbles evolved at one electrode, and a transfer passage that extends between the two ends from a position toward the top of the hood, so that bubbles of gas drive buffer fluid along the transfer passage. The equalizing fluid transfer prevents breakdown of the buffer solution and promotes uniformity of temperature, so that field separation characteristics remain constant and the band spacing is not subject to non-linear distortions at the central portion of the gel tray. The device may have the same footprint as a conventional single-tray vessel, and the trays may be dimensioned so that more than twenty percent and as much as fifty per cent of the volume of the upper region of the separation tank is occupied by parallel gel beds, increasing capacity with minimal increase in capital cost.
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