ASEP-100 Compact Horizontal Electrophoresis System by AS ONE

Overview

The ASEP-100 Compact Horizontal Electrophoresis System is an integrated, benchtop electrophoresis apparatus engineered by AS ONE Co., Ltd. in Japan for routine nucleic acid and protein separation in academic teaching labs, QC environments, and resource-constrained research settings. Unlike modular systems requiring separate power supplies and gel trays, the ASEP-100 embeds a regulated DC power source directly into its chassis—enabling rapid setup of horizontal agarose or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (AGE/PAGE) without external cabling or voltage calibration. Its operation relies on constant-voltage electrophoretic migration, where charged biomolecules (e.g., DNA fragments, SDS-polypeptides) migrate through a porous matrix under an applied electric field; resolution is governed by molecular size, buffer ionic strength, and field homogeneity across the gel bed. The unit supports three discrete, factory-calibrated voltage outputs—35 V, 50 V, and 100 V—optimized respectively for high-resolution small-fragment analysis (e.g., PCR products < 500 bp), general-purpose genomic DNA separation, and accelerated run times for large-scale screening.

Key Features

• Integrated constant-voltage power supply with three fixed output settings (35 V / 50 V / 100 V DC), eliminating need for external HV modules or manual voltage tuning.
• Real-time safety interlock system compliant with IEC 61010-1: automatically halts power delivery upon lid opening during operation, detection of insufficient buffer volume, or current surge exceeding safe thresholds (typically > 150 mA).
• Compact footprint (190 × 130 × 55 mm) designed for shared lab benches or mobile teaching carts; weighs < 0.8 kg for portability between classrooms or core facilities.
• Corrosion-resistant ABS housing with UV-stabilized transparent polycarbonate lid, enabling real-time visual monitoring of gel migration without electrical exposure.
• Digital timer with 1–99 minute range (1-minute increments); auto-shutdown upon completion ensures reproducible run durations and prevents over-migration or gel melting.
• Pre-aligned electrode assembly with platinum-coated stainless-steel wires ensures uniform field distribution and minimizes bubble formation at electrode interfaces.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ASEP-100 is validated for use with standard horizontal electrophoresis formats including 6-well to 25-well minigels (up to 10 × 10 cm gel area), compatible with agarose concentrations from 0.7% to 2.0% (w/v) and native or SDS-PAGE acrylamide gels (up to 15%). It supports common electrophoresis buffers such as TAE, TBE, and SB. All electrical and mechanical design elements conform to JIS T 0601-1 (Japanese adaptation of IEC 60601-1 for laboratory equipment safety) and IEC 61010-1:2010 Edition 3.0. No CE marking is affixed, as the device is certified for domestic Japanese market use under METI regulatory framework; international users must verify local conformity requirements (e.g., UL 61010-1 in North America, UKCA post-Brexit). The system does not incorporate data logging or audit trail functionality and is therefore not intended for GLP/GMP-regulated release testing under FDA 21 CFR Part 11.

Software & Data Management

The ASEP-100 operates as a standalone hardware platform with no embedded microprocessor, firmware, or digital connectivity (USB, Bluetooth, or Ethernet). All control logic resides in analog circuitry—ensuring immunity to software failure, electromagnetic interference, or cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Run parameters (voltage selection, timer setting) are configured via tactile rotary switch and push-button interface. No proprietary software, drivers, or cloud services are required or supported. Users record experimental metadata (e.g., gel composition, sample loading volume, run time) manually in laboratory notebooks per ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.5.1. For documentation traceability, AS ONE provides a printed English-language instruction manual (P/N C3-6653-01-MAN-EN) containing wiring diagrams, maintenance schedules, and troubleshooting flowcharts.

Applications

• Routine undergraduate and graduate molecular biology labs: visualization of restriction digests, PCR amplification products, and plasmid isolation quality checks.
• Quality control of oligonucleotide synthesis batches and primer purity verification prior to sequencing or qPCR.
• Field-deployable diagnostics support: used in Japanese public health satellite labs for rapid confirmation of pathogen amplicons (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR products) under controlled ambient conditions.
• Plant breeding programs: assessment of co-dominant SSR markers and allele-specific banding patterns in rice or wheat germplasm screening.
• Forensic casework pre-screening: preliminary sizing of STR loci fragments before capillary electrophoresis validation.

FAQ

Is the ASEP-100 compatible with ethidium bromide or SYBR Safe staining?

Yes—its polycarbonate lid transmits >90% of 302 nm UV light, enabling direct post-electrophoresis visualization under standard transilluminators. Avoid prolonged UV exposure to prevent gel brittleness.
Can I use it with mini vertical gels?

No—the ASEP-100 is mechanically and electrically optimized exclusively for horizontal gel configurations. Vertical gel electrophoresis requires separate apparatus with distinct electrode geometry and buffer chamber design.
What is the maximum recommended current load?

The safety cutoff activates at approximately 150 mA. For typical 1× TAE buffer and 1% agarose gels, operational current remains below 80 mA at 100 V; higher conductivity buffers (e.g., 1× TBE) may require lower voltage selection.
Does it include a gel casting tray or comb?

No—AS ONE supplies the ASEP-100 as a core electrophoresis unit only. Compatible gel trays (e.g., AS ONE C3-6653-02, 7 × 7 cm) and combs (C3-6653-03, 10-well) are ordered separately.
Is service support available outside Japan?

AS ONE authorizes select regional distributors (e.g., VWR International in EMEA, Thomas Scientific in North America) to provide technical documentation and spare parts logistics; on-site repair is limited to Japan-based facilities.