As part of setting up a new undergraduate lab I have been offered a CBS Scientific DCX-700 SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting system. However, I can't understand how it works for blotting, and I can't get my hands on a demo unit. (The reason I am interested is it appears to be one of the few systems that can use pre-poured gels from a range of suppliers, and also pour-your-own.)
The system uses one tank in which SDS-PAGE, and blots can be run (obviously not at the same time). The bit I am struggling with is the blotting as it appears to use the same electrode configuration as for the SDS-PAGE, that is an electrode at the top of the tank and one at the bottom. From my own many years of experience of Western blotting I know that you need a constant uniform field at 90 degrees to the gel to move the proteins to the membrane. However, the approach this system uses would appear to give a non-uniform field that is not at 90 degrees.
According to the company the system 'utilizes a "single electrode array" for electroblotting transfers', and they also seem to acknowledge the non-uniform nature of the field as they recommend loading the gel upside down (i.e. high MW at the bottom of the tank) to take advantage of the better field near the electrode at the bottom of the tank. This all strikes me as a bit odd.
Anyone used a DCX-700 or have any views or opinions, or suggestions?
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