Tanon VE-180 Vertical Electrophoresis Cell
| Brand | Tanon |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Model | VE-180 |
| Gel Area | 8.3 × 7.3 cm |
| Spacing Options | 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm |
| Max Gels per Run | 2 |
| Outer Buffer Capacity | 750 mL |
| Inner Buffer Capacity | 130 mL |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 16 × 11.5 × 15 cm |
| Compatibility | Standard Mini-Pre-Cast Gels (e.g., Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN®, Thermo Fisher Novex®, Lonza NuPAGE®) |
Overview
The Tanon VE-180 Vertical Electrophoresis Cell is an engineered platform for high-fidelity SDS-PAGE, native PAGE, and nucleic acid electrophoresis of small-to-moderate sample volumes. It operates on the principle of constant-voltage or constant-current electrophoretic separation in a vertical polyacrylamide matrix, where charged biomolecules migrate under an applied electric field according to their molecular weight, charge density, and conformation. Designed for laboratory environments requiring reproducible gel-based separations—including academic research, quality control in biopharmaceutical development, and routine protein/nucleic acid characterization—the VE-180 decouples gel casting from electrophoresis execution via a modular architecture. This physical separation between the gel casting frame and the electrophoresis chamber eliminates cross-contamination risks, minimizes buffer dilution artifacts, and extends component service life. Its compact footprint and standardized dimensions ensure seamless integration with common mini-gel imaging systems and UV transilluminators.
Key Features
- Modular dual-system design: Independent gel casting frame and electrophoresis chamber enable parallel preparation and running—reducing total experimental turnaround time by up to 40% compared to integrated systems.
- Integrated glass plate–spacer assembly: Precision-machined spacers are co-molded with borosilicate glass plates to guarantee uniform thickness tolerance (< ±5 µm) across the entire sealing interface, eliminating buffer leakage even at elevated voltages (up to 300 V DC).
- Three interchangeable spacer options: 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm thicknesses accommodate diverse resolution requirements—from high-resolution protein isoform separation (thin gels) to robust DNA fragment analysis (thicker gels with higher loading capacity).
- Dual-gel capability: Simultaneous electrophoresis of two independent 8.3 × 7.3 cm gels under identical thermal and electrical conditions ensures inter-gel comparability for replicate experiments or parallel condition screening.
- Optimized buffer reservoir geometry: The 750 mL outer tank volume provides stable temperature dissipation during extended runs (>90 min), while the 130 mL inner chamber maintains precise ion concentration gradients critical for sharp band resolution.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The VE-180 supports standard mini-format pre-cast gels from major global suppliers—including Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN Tetrad, Thermo Fisher Novex Tris-Glycine, and Lonza NuPAGE Bis-Tris systems—via mechanical alignment pins and universal clamping force distribution. It is compatible with common electrophoresis buffers (Tris-Glycine, Tris-Tricine, MOPS, MES) and routinely validated for use with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250, silver nitrate, SYPRO Ruby, and ethidium bromide staining protocols. While not certified to ISO/IEC 17025 or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 as a standalone device, its mechanical repeatability and dimensional conformity to ANSI/SLAS microplate footprint standards support GLP-compliant documentation workflows when paired with validated power supplies (e.g., Tanon EPS-300 or EPS-600) and audit-trail-capable imaging software.
Software & Data Management
The VE-180 is a hardware-only electrophoresis cell and does not incorporate embedded firmware or digital interfaces. However, it integrates natively into instrument ecosystems that comply with LIMS and ELN interoperability frameworks. When used with Tanon’s GelDoc series imagers and ImageLab™-compatible acquisition software, users can assign unique run IDs, embed metadata (gel thickness, buffer lot number, voltage profile), and export TIFF/PNG files with embedded EXIF tags for traceability. All associated power supplies (EPS-100 through EPS-600) support programmable voltage/current ramping and real-time current monitoring—data which may be logged externally via RS-232 or USB-to-serial adapters compliant with ASTM E1384-02 (Standard Guide for Recording and Sharing Laboratory Data).
Applications
- SDS-PAGE analysis of recombinant protein purity and molecular weight verification in upstream bioprocess development.
- Western blotting workflow staging: consistent gel casting prior to transfer using compatible Tanon VE-186 or VE-586 semi-dry transfer units.
- Quality assessment of oligonucleotide synthesis products (e.g., CRISPR guide RNAs) via denaturing PAGE under urea-containing matrices.
- Native PAGE for monitoring protein complex integrity and ligand-induced conformational shifts without denaturants.
- Educational laboratories requiring robust, low-maintenance electrophoresis platforms aligned with AP Biology and undergraduate biochemistry curricula.
FAQ
Is the VE-180 compatible with pre-cast gels from non-Tanon vendors?
Yes—it accepts all commercially available mini-format pre-cast gels with standard 8.3 × 7.3 cm active area dimensions and conventional clamp-mounting interfaces.
What power supply models are recommended for optimal performance?
Tanon EPS-300 (0–300 V, 0–400 mA) and EPS-600 (0–600 V, 0–600 mA) are fully characterized for thermal stability and ripple suppression with the VE-180; third-party supplies must deliver ≤0.5% voltage regulation under load.
Can the VE-180 be used for gradient gel electrophoresis?
Yes—its sealed casting frame supports gradient mixing via dual-syringe infusion ports (not included); users may employ commercial gradient mixers or manual layering techniques following Laemmli protocol modifications.
Are replacement glass plates and combs available separately?
Yes—Tanon offers OEM-certified spare parts including VE-180-specific glass plates (cat. #VE-GP-075, VE-GP-100, VE-GP-150), comb sets (VE-CMB-10, VE-CMB-15), and silicone gasket kits (VE-GSK-01).
Does the system include temperature monitoring or cooling capability?
No—the VE-180 is a passive electrophoresis chamber; active cooling requires external recirculation (e.g., Julabo F25-HE chiller connected via inlet/outlet ports on compatible power supplies) or placement within a temperature-controlled room (20–25 °C).
