Troubleshooting - StarLab StarPhoresis N2510-1010 Manuel D'utilisation

• Loosen wing nuts and slide clamp bars outward to remove gel cassettes. It is not necessary to remove
the clamp bars from the upper buffer chamber to remove the gel cassette.
• After the gel cassette(s) has been removed the gel(s) are ready for staining and blotting. Separate the
plates with a strong broad blade. When using notched glass plates DO NOT pry them apart at the
notches. Spread the load over a wide area.
• Rinse the chambers with distilled water then dry the electrode connectors with tissue. Ensure that the
connectors are clean and dry before usage or storage.
VIII. TROUBLESHOOTING
Many factors may affect the quality of gel preparations. For example, preparation of gel and sample
buffers, gel casting and tank assembly and/or run conditions. Reading and following the instructions in
this user manual can solve most problems. Some of those most commonly experienced problems, along
with suggestions for solving them, are listed below:
Problem: ACRYLAMIDE SOLUTION LEAKS DURING CASTING
• Ensure that the sealing surfaces of the glass plates and spacers are clean
• Ensure that each plate is free of chips
• Ensure that the wing-knobs on the upper buffer chamber are tightened (use care not to over-tighten)
• Ensure that the glass plates and spacers have been set in place using the positioning squares on the
'Flip-Side' of the gel casting base.
• Ensure that the cams in the casting base have been turned equally to tighten down the upper buffer
chamber on the gaskets
Problem: BUBBLES DO NOT APPEAR ON THE ELECTRODES
• Check to see if the power supply is operating properly
Problem: GELS FAIL TO POLYMERISE
• May be caused by low temperatures, oxygen, insufficient/degraded catalyst, or low acrylamide
concentrations
Problem: RUN TAKES LONGER THAN USUAL
• Buffers may be too concentrated or at the wrong pH. Gel concentration may be too high. Check
Buffer Recipe and try again. See if voltage produced by the current you are running at is the same.
If it differs significantly, your buffer may not have been made up correctly.
• Upper Buffer Chamber may be leaking buffer: Make sure the gel assembly is seated firmly against the
gasket. Remove gasket, wash in warm water to remove excess salts, and place the gasket back in the
groove.
• Running at too low a current: Use running conditions given in this manual. When running at
constant current, the current value listed is per gel.
Problem: RUNNING TOO FAST
• Check buffer recipe; remake and try again. If voltage is lower than usual when running at constant
current, the buffer is probably too dilute.
• Voltage or current may be set too high: turn down current setting.
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StarPhoresis 2-Gel Mini and Wide Mini Vertical Electrophoresis Systems