As far as using the other side is concerned, the only problem we encounter
is that the 'less-used' side doesn't seem to pour as well as the other side,
and has occasionally given us some anomalies. We have stopped using both
sides, simply because it seems that the more gels we pour, the better the
plates seem to get (until they get chipped!).
Kind Regards
Andrew
_______________________________________________________________
ASTRA CHARNWOOD
Molecular Biology, Bakewell Road, Loughborough, Leics, ENGLAND LE11 5RH
Tel: +44 (0)1509 644213 Mobile: +44 (0)778 8595040 Fax: +44 (0)1509
645557
andrew.walding@charnwood.gb.astra.com
> ----------
> From: Skip Vaught, Brian Coullahan, Mark Schwartz, and Felisa
> Blackmer[SMTP:jev@u.arizona.edu]
> Sent: 29 April 1999 00:37
> To: Recipients of ABRF List
> Subject: Plate cleaning "redux"
>
> Hello again, sequencing friends,
>
> Thanks for your excellent responses to my query about plate cleaning.
> It's
> clear that there are several approaches to good results.
>
> Well, I'm slightly embarrassed, no, make that very embarrassed to admit
> that it happened again on one of yesterday's gels. It happened on a set
> of
> plates that worked perfectly the day before. "That's odd", I said to
> myself, "how could a build up of comtaminating molecules on the gel side
> of
> the plates be so abrupt as to effect mobility in one day?" As I
> forlornly
> looked around for the most corrosive liquid I could find to immerse the
> plates into (say, a couple of nights in chromerge), I noticed something
> that may, or may not, shed some light on the mystery. The notched plate
> was
> on backwards! (Whew, this admission is very cathartic.)
>
> We etch vertical lines on the corners of our plates so that they are
> always
> oriented correctly. But, because vertical lines are symmetrical, you have
> to look closely to determine what side the etch is on (we are going to
> etch something asymmetrical on the glass to eliminate goofs, and I'm going
> to insist that every technician orient the plates in the drying rack the
> same way).
>
> What do you folks think? Can the "dirty" side of a plate affect mobility?
> Those of you who hand wash certainly notice that the gel side of the
> plates
> sheet water beautifully, while the "dirty" side has areas that bead water
> and other areas that sheet. The beading is especially prominent on the
> "dirty" side of the notched plate where the rubber seal of the upper
> buffer chamber contacts the glass. If the plate was reversed, this
> contact
> point would be right at that critical area of the gel where the bands
> "stack up".
>
> We hand wash our plates and only occasionaly soak (after trouble). Those
> of
> you who responded to my query who soak your plates routinely or those who
> do the hot DI water rinse never seem to have a problem. Could it be that
> with your methods, both sides of the plates are so scrupulously clean that
> an inadvertent reversal would have no impact?
>
> Your responses are welcomed.
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Skip Vaught
> DNA Sequencing Service
> University of Arizona
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> THE DNA SEQUENCING SERVICE
> UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
>
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> Skip Vaught- jev@u.arizona.edu
> Brian Coullahan- coullaha@u.arizona.edu
> Mark Schwartz- schwartm@u.arizona.edu
> Amy Raymond- raymonda@u.arizona.edu
>
>