OpenGelBox
![Open Source Midi Gelbox](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ef/CU_2014_OpenGel2.png)
The OpenGelBox is an easy-to-build midi gel box that can run up to 30 samples simultaneously. It is built using 6mm and 2mm acrylic sheets with a laser cut time of under a half hour. Previously, our lab would need to run several mini gels in series in order to analyze a large number of samples. With the OpenGelBox, we can more quickly analyze many samples while minimizing the use of consumable materials involved in gel electrophoresis.
![Cooper Union OpenGelBox](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/6/6a/CU_OpenGel_CAD1.PNG)
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/7/74/CU_OpenGel-All_part_dwg2.png)
CAD Files
![The Cooper Union Open Midi Gel Box](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/0/0b/CU_2014_OpenGel.png)
Open Source Midi Gel box
![The Cooper Union Open Midi Gel Box](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/c/c1/CU_2014_MidiCaster.png)
Gel caster
![The Cooper Union Open Midi Gel Box](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/d/db/CU_2014_MidiCaster2.png)
Gel caster and Comb
Design
Plans
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/7/74/CU_OpenGel-All_part_dwg2.png)
CAD Files
Parts
- 6mm and 2mm acrylic sheet
- 20x20mm acrylic square rod
- 2 Male Banana plugs (or the your standardized plug)
- Platinum wire (AWG 30)
- Four M3x15 screws and nuts
- Acrylic glue
Cut List
- 6mm sheet
- Two “Sides”
- One “base_plate”
- Two “electrode_plate”
- Two “front_back”
- One “lid_top”
- One “lid_electrode”
- One “gel_base”
- 2mm sheet
- Two “Comb”
- Two 20x20x190mm acrylic square rods
Assembly
- Glue all plates, except the “electrode_plate”, together using acrylic glue. Clamps are recommended to ensure a watertight seal and better alignment.
- Attach male banana plugs to holes in the “sides” plate
- Attach the electrode wire to the power plugs and thread through the small hole in the “electrode_plate” so that the small hole is on the opposite side of the power plugs and the wire is behind the grate section
- Screw both “electrode_plate” pieces to their respective sides using M3 screws
- Notch two evenly spaced slots into the acrylic square rods, this will be where the combs sit. The notch depth depends on your gel thickness but should be around 9mm
- Glue the square rods to the “gel_base” using the combs as alignment references
- Glue lid pieces together and attach female banana plug
![The Cooper Union Open Midi Gel Box](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/0/0b/CU_2014_OpenGel.png)
Open Source Midi Gel box
![The Cooper Union Open Midi Gel Box](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/c/c1/CU_2014_MidiCaster.png)
Gel caster
![The Cooper Union Open Midi Gel Box](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/d/db/CU_2014_MidiCaster2.png)
Gel caster and Comb