Automated apparatus for producing gradient gels

Claim 1

Apparatus for producing a gradient gel having a variation in composition along the height of the gel, the gel being useful as in providing a standard medium for a two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of proteins and having a density gradient along said height resulting from said variation in composition, the apparatus comprising: mixing means for forming said gel composition from light and heavy combinations of gel ingredients, first and second means for transferring the light and heavy combinations of gel ingredients to said mixing means including first and second pumping means, motor means for incrementally driving said pumping means for providing a predetermined quantity of said light and heavy combinations of gel ingredients, a hollow form for receiving said gel composition, first transfer means including a first filler tube for transferring said gel composition from said mixing means to said hollow form to provide a predetermined amount of said gel composition in said form, the filler tube extending to a position near the bottom of the form, adjustment means for adding a small quantity of said heavy combination of gel ingredients through said first filler tube to move said gel composition to a predetermined height, means for limiting the gel composition to said predetermined height in said form, arm means for sequentially withdrawing the filler tube and relocating said tube in an opening in the next adjacent hollow form, including vertical and horizontal adjustment means, and digital computer means for providing digital signals to drive said motor means and said arm means.