3D Electrophoresis Gel Box

thingiverse

A gel box is a tool used in molecular biology to separate and visualize differently-sized pieces of DNA. It utilizes two electrodes at either end of the box to mobilize the negatively-charged DNA toward the anode, dragging smaller sized pieces through the gel faster than larger pieces. This 3D design was made in openSCAD to be used in a 3D printer. Because 3D printers have some trouble printing holes in vertical walls, I have commented out the holes where you would insert the anode and cathode wires (preferably made of platinum to avoid corrosion). Instead, I plan on drilling the smallest holes I can, inserting the wires and then using hot glue to seal the holes. I have uploaded both the .scad and .stl files (.stl being a file format used by the makerbot). For a great description of gel electrophoresis and a design of a box for casting a gel, visit Cathal's thing here : http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1694