DIYbio:Notebook/Open Gel Box 2.0

Project Description/Abstract

Gel electrophoresis is one of the most basic and commonly used tools for molecular biology. However, the gel electrophoresis chambers available on the market often lack essential features that would make this daily routine more pleasant. We aim to create a professional grade open and extensible electrophoresis gel box, available as design documents, unassembled, and assembled kits for researchers to obtain and improve upon.

4/10/09: We really like the way this project is working out. As part of our work with the open gel box, Norman and I have founded a DIYbio company, [www.pearlbiotech.comm Pearl Biotech]. Our mission is simple: make biotech accessible. Next up: Open Thermocycler!

Active Members

Norman Wang, Tito Jankowski On-Haitus Members: Jim Hardy, Mackenzie Cowell, Mike Katsevman

Details

Our first design is really pulling its weight in our tests. Norman found some great 64 LED arrays and designed a custom PCR board to get them booted up. We've got a few bugs still to stomp -- and are shipping beta copies to an invite-only crowd by the end of April.

1. The sexiest gel box

2. Beautiful SYBRsafe test by Norman

3. Your LEDs are showing! (64 of them)

The first design is complete. Once we get the design cleaned up and tested, we'll be posting links to both DIY kits and preassembled gel systems. The orange/blue filter works really well - check out this pic (left is the professional $100 light filter, middle is the orange/blue combo we went with for our final design):

Features we like from other boxes

Materials and costs

Transilluminator design requirements

Power supply design requirements

Consumables research and notes - agarose, running buffer, markers

Request For Comments (RFC)

RFC1 (draft), read BBF RFC0 for editing guidelines

Recent changes