Vertical Electrophoresis Unit

Vertical Electrophoresis Unit is an essential laboratory apparatus used primarily for the separation and analysis of proteins using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Unlike horizontal electrophoresis, which is mainly used for nucleic acids, the vertical setup is specifically designed for resolving proteins based on their size or charge.

Vertical Electrophoresis Unit Manufacturers, Exporters & Suppliers

The unit typically includes two glass plates with a spacer to create a thin gel layer, a gel casting stand, electrophoresis chamber, platinum electrodes, and a power supply. The gel is cast vertically between the glass plates, and after polymerization, the assembly is placed in the electrophoresis tank filled with buffer. Protein samples, often denatured with SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), are loaded into wells at the top of the gel. Once the current is applied, proteins migrate through the gel matrix toward the positive electrode, with smaller proteins moving faster than larger ones.

Vertical electrophoresis is commonly used in SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis), a technique widely employed for protein molecular weight determination, purity checking, and protein expression analysis. It is also a crucial step in Western blotting, where separated proteins are transferred to a membrane for further analysis.

One of the advantages of a vertical electrophoresis system is its high resolution, which makes it ideal for separating complex protein mixtures. Modern units are equipped with leak-proof gel casting systems, cooling options for high-voltage runs, and safety lids for user protection.

Though vertical units are more complex than horizontal systems and require more precise gel preparation, they remain indispensable in biochemistry, molecular biology, and proteomics research.

LABCY BRAND Vertical Slab Gel Mechanism Student