DLAB DL-SUB01 Horizontal Electrophoresis Cell
| Brand | DLAB |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Product Origin | Domestic (China) |
| Model | DL-SUB01 |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
| Gel Tray Dimensions (W×L) | 75 × 60 mm |
| Sample Capacity | 6 or 11 wells |
| Buffer Volume | 300 mL |
| Electrode Material | High-Purity Platinum Wire |
| Gel Casting System | Spring-Loaded, Removable Comb Assembly |
| Lid Design | Ventilated, Transparent Polycarbonate with Observation Aperture |
| Construction | One-Piece Injection-Molded, UV-Stable Acrylic |
Overview
The DLAB DL-SUB01 Horizontal Electrophoresis Cell is an engineered platform for standard agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (AGE/PAGE) in molecular biology laboratories. Designed according to conventional horizontal electrophoretic principles—where nucleic acid fragments migrate under a uniform DC electric field through a porous matrix—the DL-SUB01 supports rapid DNA fragment separation, size estimation, and preparative recovery. Its compact footprint and modular architecture make it suitable for routine use in academic teaching labs, QC environments, and low-throughput research settings where reproducibility, ease of maintenance, and buffer stability are prioritized over high-voltage or multi-gel throughput capabilities.
Key Features
- One-piece injection-molded gel tray and buffer chamber constructed from UV-stable, high-impact acrylic—resistant to common electrophoresis buffers (e.g., TAE, TBE) and compatible with ethidium bromide and SYBR-safe staining protocols.
- Ventilated transparent lid with integrated observation aperture enables real-time monitoring of electrophoretic migration without compromising electrical safety or buffer evaporation control.
- Spring-loaded, tool-free comb assembly ensures consistent well geometry and eliminates residual gel adhesion on the tray surface—reducing carryover risk and enabling rapid reconfiguration between 6-well and 11-well formats.
- Removable platinum wire electrodes mounted on snap-fit terminals allow full access for cleaning, inspection, and replacement—supporting long-term conductivity integrity and minimizing polarization artifacts.
- Optimized buffer volume (300 mL) balances thermal dissipation and electrochemical stability across typical run conditions (e.g., 80–120 V, 30–60 min), limiting Joule heating while maintaining sufficient ion reservoir capacity.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DL-SUB01 accommodates standard agarose concentrations (0.7–2.0% w/v) and native or denaturing polyacrylamide gels (up to 12% T). Its 75 × 60 mm gel bed supports standard mini-gel applications using common DNA ladders (e.g., 100 bp, 1 kb) and restriction-digested plasmid preps. While not certified to IEC 61010-1 or UL 61010B as a standalone Class II device, the system complies with general laboratory safety expectations for low-voltage (<200 V DC) electrophoresis apparatuses when used with DLAB-recommended power supplies. It meets functional requirements referenced in ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for method validation in nucleic acid analysis workflows and supports GLP-aligned documentation practices when paired with traceable voltage/current logging equipment.
Software & Data Management
As a benchtop passive electrophoresis cell, the DL-SUB01 operates without embedded firmware or proprietary software. It is fully interoperable with third-party imaging systems—including chemiluminescent, fluorescence, and white-light transilluminators—and integrates seamlessly into existing digital documentation pipelines (e.g., ImageLab, AlphaView SA, Fiji/ImageJ). No drivers, dongles, or cloud services are required. All operational parameters (voltage, run time, buffer composition) are manually logged per GLP/GMP best practices; audit trails may be maintained via lab notebook entries or LIMS-integrated electronic records. The absence of onboard electronics simplifies 21 CFR Part 11 compliance pathways when used within validated electrophoresis protocols.
Applications
- Routine DNA fragment sizing and purity assessment in cloning, PCR verification, and genotyping workflows.
- Preparative isolation of discrete bands for downstream enzymatic processing (e.g., gel extraction, restriction digestion).
- Teaching laboratory exercises demonstrating charge-to-mass ratio dependence, buffer ion mobility, and matrix pore-size effects on electrophoretic mobility.
- QC release testing of plasmid preparations and oligonucleotide synthesis batches under ISO 13485-aligned quality systems.
- Compatibility with post-electrophoresis techniques including Southern blotting, silver staining, and SYBR Gold-based quantification.
FAQ
What power supply is compatible with the DL-SUB01?
The DL-SUB01 is designed for use with standard DC power supplies delivering 0–200 V and 0–500 mA output. DLAB recommends pairing it with the DLAB PS-303D or equivalent constant-voltage sources calibrated to ±1% accuracy.
Can the DL-SUB01 be used for SDS-PAGE?
No—it is optimized for nucleic acid electrophoresis. Protein electrophoresis requires vertical tank configurations, specialized electrode spacing, and higher voltage tolerance not supported by this horizontal cell’s architecture.
Is the gel tray autoclavable?
The acrylic tray is not autoclavable. Sterilization is achieved via 70% ethanol wipe-down or 10% bleach immersion (≤10 min), followed by thorough deionized water rinse and air drying.
How often should platinum electrodes be cleaned?
Electrodes should be rinsed with deionized water after each run and inspected weekly for oxidation or pitting. Mild polishing with 0.5 µm alumina slurry restores conductivity if discoloration occurs.
Does the DL-SUB01 support gradient gels?
No. Its fixed-height casting frame and single-comb design do not accommodate gradient gel pouring fixtures or multi-layer polymerization protocols.
