Sample well comb masks for photopolymerizable electrophoretic gels

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a masking device (20) for improving the fidelity of a sample well of a photopolymerizable electrophoretic gel contained in a gel casting assembly (10) that includes a comb (30) having one or more teeth. The masking device (20) comprises a light blocking mechanism fixedly located on the gel casting assembly (10), where the light blocking mechanism overlaps the teeth of the comb to prevent photopolymerization of a portion of the electrophoretic gel contained between the comb and the inner surface of the gel casting assembly. After the comb-shaped object is removed after photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel, the sample holes are kept uniform.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 364,441, filed on May 10, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Background Art

[0002] The use of gel electrophoresis is a ubiquitous technique currently used to separate biological materials. Non-biological materials can also be separated using gels or other chromatographic supports, but the scope of efforts with biological materials is greater. Typical applications include separation of nucleic acid fragments of various sizes in the context of sequence determination; in the detection of polymorphisms; or in size verification in other contexts. Also frequently performed are the separation of proteins, separation of glycoproteins, separation of protein fragments, and the use of gel separations for verification of homogeneity or purity, identification of post-translational modifications, and molecular weight confirmation.

[0003] In all of these procedures, a mixed sample of biological entities is applied to an electrophoretic gel and the components are separated by applying an electric field across the gel. Regardless of how the gel is developed, the resulting migration pattern of the substances contained in the sample must be detected in some way. To perform such detection after gel development, the gel is stained by incubating it in a selected stain for a period of time, followed by a destaining process, wherein the destaining components are determined by the stain selection. The protein bands of the stained gel are compared to a known protein ladder included as a sample on the gel to help determine the molecular weight of the protein of interest. In some cases, additional information about the protein of interest is obtained by further transferring the protein of interest followed by immunodetection. After staining, the gel carrier is usually contacted with a blotting membrane to which the substances are transferred in the same pattern as they appear on the gel. The "spots" are then detected by at least blocking the membrane with a protein or detergent solution to reduce nonspecific binding (which would otherwise result in high levels of noise and low levels of detection values). Typical blocking agents include casein; bovine serum albumin (BSA); Tris-buffered saline solution (TBS-T solution) or a solution containing The membrane is then incubated with an antibody specific for the antigen on the membrane. The membrane is then washed extensively to remove any contaminants, unbound blocking proteins or antibodies, etc. The membrane is then treated and incubated with a second enzyme-, radioisotope-, fluorfluor-, or biotin-conjugated antibody specific for the first antibody. The membrane is again washed extensively to remove any unbound second antibody. A detection reagent is then applied, which is generally a chromogenic, chemiluminescent, fluorescent, radioactive, or streptavidin-tagged material that binds to a substrate for an enzyme-conjugate or is a substrate for an enzyme-coupled substance. Finally, an appropriate detection device is used to determine the presence, absence, location, amount, etc., of the biological entity.

[0004] Systems for hand-casting electrophoresis gels are commercially available and generally encompass a variety of different approaches, including single-, double-, and multi-cast systems. Most hand-casting systems require the user to set up the system by assembling a series of glass plates of variable size and spacers, which are suitable for the thickness of the desired gel to be cast (e.g., 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm). The required gel thickness can be determined by the sample volume required for the electrophoresis process. The glass plates may be very fragile and subject to chipping and breaking during cleaning, handling, and / or storage. Glass is the most common material for hand-casting of gels because it provides the best reusable interface for acrylamide for both gel polymerization and removal. Compared to other materials such as plastics, glass plates are also not susceptible to surface damage during cleaning. Most non-reusable or disposable hand-casting systems utilize treated plastics, which can be advantageous as a release surface for casting gels.

[0005] These systems are cumbersome to manage and require a large number of components that must be properly aligned and loaded into a support that mechanically presses the glass plates together and forces the glass against gaskets, etc., to prevent acrylamide from leaking from the system and box assembly. The gaskets used in these systems have a variable design that is unique to the system used. These gaskets or seals are exposed to liquid acrylamide and are often impregnated with acrylamide, which may be difficult to clean for subsequent use and may cause leakage problems. Loading the box assembly into the system requires precise alignment, and users typically test the assembly with deionized water to ensure that there is no leakage before pouring with acrylamide. The deionized water must be removed before pouring. If a leak is detected, the assembly and box assembly must be adjusted and the process repeated.

[0006] Once the system has been correctly assembled, the first step of the pouring process begins by injecting (usually via a pipette) the liquid acrylamide separation gel into the cassette. In both the single and dual systems, this requires the user to inject into a narrow opening at the top of each individual cassette. A multi-pour system may allow the user to fill an entire stack at the same time, but will generate excess acrylamide waste that must be cleaned up after the process is complete.

[0007] Visibility into the cassette is important to achieve the required height of the separating gel, which is advantageous in a single cassette system but is not achievable except for the first few layers in a multicast system.

[0008] The second step in the casting process involves injecting the acrylamide stacking gel into each box, usually again through a pipette. This also requires the user to inject into the narrow opening at the top of each individual box. Once the stacking gel has been introduced into the box, the user inserts a sample well comb that matches the gel thickness. In order to be able to insert the comb into the box, the comb teeth that form the sample well are slightly thinner than the space between the glass plates that form the required gel thickness. The comb is composed of many teeth to form a hole, and the number of holes is based on the sample size and the required pore volume (common configuration is 10,12 and 15 holes). While inserting the comb, it is important that it is centered from one side to the other side relative to the box, and remains stable during and after the stacking gel solidification. It is also important that the comb can be removed (for electrophoresis sample loading) without destroying the polymerized hole (polymerized wells). Traditionally, any acrylamide solution occupying the space between the glass plate and the comb will not solidify and be rinsed out for electrophoresis process before sample introduction after removing the comb.

[0009] Acrylamide separating gels and acrylamide stacking gels typically require 30 to 45 minutes to cure, each depending on the reagents and their concentrations. Therefore, changes in reagents and concentrations have been shown to allow photopolymerization of electrophoresis gels, which significantly shortens the user's curing time. However, when using photopolymerization to cure acrylamide stacking gels, any stacking gel solution that may be present between the comb teeth and the glass may cure into a film within the wells, thereby introducing variation in the sample wells, from well to well and from the last present gel to gel, and making it possible to damage the polymerized wells when the comb is removed.

[0010] It would be desirable to provide a reusable or disposable masking device to the gel casting assembly during light-induced photocuring of the gel, which improves the process of photopolymerizing the electrophoresis gel and the fidelity of the wells after photopolymerization.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the embodiments disclosed herein to provide a component or device located outside or inside the fluid path of a gel casting assembly and permanently attached or removably attached that provides a mask for the sample hole comb teeth and prevents any residual stacking solution between the interior glass surface and the comb teeth from curing during the photocuring process.

[0012] Another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide improved fidelity and consistency of gel sample wells.

[0013] Yet another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide intuitive interaction for curing gel using a gel casting assembly.

[0014] These and other objects are achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein. Summary of the invention

[0015] According to certain embodiments, a masking device is disclosed for improving the fidelity of sample wells of a photopolymerizable electrophoretic gel contained in a cassette frame of a gel casting assembly.

[0016] In one embodiment, a masking device is used to improve the fidelity of sample wells of a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel contained in a gel casting assembly, the gel casting assembly comprising a comb having one or more teeth, the masking device comprising a light blocking agent fixedly located on the gel casting assembly, wherein the light blocking agent overlaps the teeth to prevent photopolymerization of any portion of the electrophoresis gel contained between the teeth and the inner surface of the gel casting assembly, and wherein the sample wells remain uniform after the comb is removed after photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the light blocking mechanism comprises one or more teeth configured to align with the one or more comb teeth, and wherein the one or more teeth of the light blocking mechanism prevent photopolymerization of a portion of the electrophoresis gel contained between the comb teeth and the inner surface of the gel casting assembly.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the comb is removably located in or on the gel casting assembly.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the masking device is reusable.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the comb has 10, 12 or 15 teeth.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the masking device is sized to provide a friction fit with the gel cartridge assembly.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the masking device further comprises a film attached to the gel box assembly for further inhibiting photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel.

[0023] In certain embodiments, the masking device is attached to the gel cartridge assembly by adhesive or electrical bonding.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the masking device is mechanically attached to the gel cartridge assembly.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the film is made of a transparent or opaque material such as metal, cardboard, or plastic.

[0026] In another embodiment, disclosed is a masking device for improving the fidelity of sample wells of a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel, the masking device comprising a light blocking device coupled to a gel casting assembly, wherein the light blocking device prevents any photopolymerization of a portion of the electrophoresis gel by preventing light from reaching an interior portion of the gel casting assembly.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the light blocking means blocks ultraviolet light.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the light blocking means is a light blocking film, coating or etching on or in the gel cast assembly.

[0029] In some embodiments, the light blocking device is polyester, acrylic, color filter film, or polarizing film.

[0030] In some embodiments, the light blocking means is a printed UV blocking epoxy mask.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the light blocking means is a vapor deposited optical coating.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the light blocking means is a laser or acid etched pattern.

[0033] In a specific embodiment, the masking device comprises a comb having a plurality of comb teeth, wherein the light blocking device blocks light from reaching the plurality of comb teeth.

[0034] In other embodiments, disclosed is a method of curing a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel, comprising coupling a masking device to a gel casting assembly, injecting a liquid acrylamide separating gel into the gel casting assembly, additionally injecting a photopolymerizable acrylamide stacking gel into the gel casting assembly on top of the separating gel, curing the separating gel and stacking gel using photopolymerization, and wherein the masking device prevents photopolymerization of the stacking gel on the inner side of a portion of the gel casting assembly so as to improve the fidelity of the sample wells of the photopolymerized electrophoresis gel in the gel casting assembly.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the method further comprises positioning the masking device on an outside of the gel casting assembly.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the method further comprises positioning the masking device within the gel casting assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The devices, assemblies, devices and components presented herein may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and descriptions. It should be understood that some elements in the drawings may not necessarily be drawn to scale, and emphasis has been placed on illustrating the principles disclosed herein. In the drawings, similar reference numerals indicate corresponding and / or comparable components / elements throughout the different views.

[0038] Figure 1 A perspective view of a gel casting assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown with an inserted comb and a masking device attached to the outside of the gel casting assembly.

[0039] Figure 2 Show Figure 2 An exploded view of a gel casting assembly is shown in FIG. , wherein the masking device is attached to the gel casting assembly.

[0040] Figure 3 A perspective view of a gel casting assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown having an inserted comb and a removable masking device attached to the outside of the gel casting assembly.

[0041] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 An exploded view of the gel casting assembly is shown in FIG.

[0042] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of a masking arrangement according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG.

[0043] Figure 6 Show Figure 3 and Figure 4 An isolated perspective view of a molded clip-on masking device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG.

[0044] Figure 7 A perspective view is shown of another embodiment of a shaped clip-type masking device according to the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 8 A perspective view is shown of an exemplary embodiment of a comb holder clip-on masking device according to the present disclosure.

[0046] Fig. 9 A flow chart showing a method of curing a photopolymerizable electrophoretic gel using a masking device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings constituting part of this paper, the same (like) numerals throughout represent the same parts, and the embodiments that can be put into practice are shown by way of illustration. It should be understood that other embodiments can be utilized, and structural or logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be considered in a limiting sense, and the scope of the embodiments is limited by the attached claims and their equivalents.

[0048] Various aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in the description herein. Without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure, alternative embodiments of the present disclosure and their equivalents may be designed. It should be noted that any discussion herein about "an embodiment", "embodiment", "exemplary embodiment", etc. indicates that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures or characteristics, and such specific features, structures or characteristics may not necessarily be included in each embodiment. In addition, reference to the foregoing does not necessarily include reference to the same embodiment. Finally, whether or not explicitly described, it will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that each of the specific features, structures or characteristics of a given embodiment may be used in conjunction or in combination with those in any other embodiment discussed herein.

[0049] The various operations may be described in turn as a plurality of discrete actions or operations in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be interpreted as implying that the operations are necessarily order-dependent. In particular, the operations may not be performed in the order presented. The described operations may be performed in an order different from the described embodiments. In additional embodiments, various additional operations may be performed, and / or the described operations may be omitted.

[0050] For purposes of this disclosure, the phrase "A and / or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). For purposes of this disclosure, the phrase "A, B, and / or C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0051] The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure are synonymous.

[0052] Now go to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , shows a gel casting assembly 10 having a masking device 20 and a comb 30 containing teeth 40 according to a particular embodiment. The masking device 20 and the comb 30 can be constructed of one or more molded parts that are chemically compatible with the gel casting solution. In a particular embodiment, the masking device 20 can be permanently attached to the gel casting assembly 10, while in other embodiments, the masking device 20 can be removably coupled to the gel casting assembly 10.

[0053] Now go to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , shows a gel casting assembly 10 having a masking device 20a and a comb 30 containing teeth 40 according to a particular embodiment. The masking device 20a and the comb 30 can be composed of one or more molded parts that are chemically compatible with the gel casting solution. In a particular embodiment, the masking device 20a is removably attached to the gel casting assembly 10.

[0054] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 In any of the embodiments shown in the drawings, the masking device 20 can be located outside the gel casting assembly 10, or contained within the gel casting assembly 10, in direct contact with the photopolymerized electrophoretic gel held inside the gel casting assembly 10. In addition, the masking devices 20, 20a are sized in such a way that they conform to the comb 30 and have the same shape as the comb teeth 40 in or on the gel casting assembly 10, so that photopolymerized light cannot pass through the masking devices 20, 20a to interact with a portion of the electrophoretic gel, thereby preventing the electrophoretic gel located behind the masking devices 20, 20a from photopolymerizing. This allows uniform pores of the electrophoretic gel to be polymerized so that when the comb 30 is removed from the gel casting assembly 10, the resulting gel is not deformed or torn, which would render the gel unusable if it occurs.

[0055] Go to Figure 5, showing Figure 1 and Figure 2 . The masking device 20 can be configured in a flat shape and can be fixedly attached to the inside or outside of the gel casting assembly 10 by using an adhesive or an electrical bond. As with other embodiments, Figure 5 The masking device 20 shown in FIG. 4 may have one or more teeth 60 to match the tooth configuration of the comb 30 . Figure 5 The masking device 20 shown in FIG. 1 can be constructed of any material that is configured to prevent light from photopolymerizing the gel, such as, but not limited to, metal, paper, or plastic. In some embodiments, the masking device 20 can be configured so that a user can see through the masking device 20 (i.e., the masking device 20a can be at least partially transparent) to ensure that the user has visual confirmation when pouring gel into the hole area between the teeth 40 of the gel casting assembly 10. According to certain embodiments, Figure 5 The masking device 20 shown in FIG. 1 may be screen printed onto the gel cast assembly 10. According to other embodiments, the masking device 20 may be acid etched or laser etched onto the gel cast assembly 10. According to even further embodiments, the masking device 20 may be a stick-on vinyl masking device.

[0056] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , a second embodiment of the masking device 20a may be made of a molded component or assembly that can be clamped or slid onto the top of the gel casting assembly 10 by means of attachment points 50, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 The masking device 20a may have one or more teeth 60 , and preferably has 10 teeth, 12 teeth or 15 teeth to match the tooth configuration of the comb 30 . Figure 6 The masking device 20a shown in the figure can be made of any material that is configured to prevent light from photopolymerizing the gel, such as, but not limited to, metal, paper, or plastic. In some embodiments, the masking device 20a can be configured so that a user can see through the masking device 20a (i.e., the masking device 20a can be at least partially transparent) to ensure that the user has visual confirmation of the alignment between the masking device 20a and the comb 30 of the gel casting assembly 10.

[0057] Figure 7 Another embodiment of a masking device 20b is shown which may be constructed of a flat shape and partially foldable so that the attachment points 50 are folded into place, thereby allowing the masking device 20b to be clamped or slid onto the top of the gel casting assembly 10. As with the other embodiments, Figure 7The masking device 20 b shown in FIG. 2 may have one or more teeth 60 to match the tooth configuration of the comb 30 . Figure 7 The masking device 20b in the embodiment can be made of any material that is configured to prevent light from photopolymerizing the gel, such as, but not limited to, metal, paper, or plastic. In some embodiments, the masking device 20b can be configured so that a user can see through the masking device 20b (i.e., the masking device 20a can be at least partially transparent) to ensure that the user has visual confirmation of the alignment between the masking device 20b and the comb 30 of the gel casting assembly 10. In addition, when the masking device 20b is at least partially transparent, the user can see where to pour the gel in the hole area between the teeth 40 of the gel casting assembly 10.

[0058] Go to Figure 8 , shows another embodiment of a masking device 70, wherein the masking device 70 can be formed by combining the masking device 20b and the comb 30 of the gel casting assembly 10 into one unit. The masking device 70 can be made of a single- or multi-piece molded assembly that can be clamped to or slid to the attachment point 50. Figure 3 and Figure 4 On top of the gel casting assembly 10. The masking device 70 may have one or more teeth 80, and preferably has 10 teeth, 12 teeth or 15 teeth. Figure 8 The masking device 70 shown in the figure can be composed of any material that is configured to prevent light from photopolymerizing the gel, such as, but not limited to, metal, paper, or plastic. In some embodiments, the masking device 70 can be configured so that a user can see through the masking device 70 (i.e., the masking device 70 is at least partially transparent) to ensure that the user has visual confirmation of the teeth 80 when pouring the gel into the gel casting assembly 10.

[0059] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , according to a particular embodiment, a comb 30 is operably associated with the gel casting assembly 10 for forming sample wells in an electrophoretic separation medium. In the illustrated embodiment, the comb 30 includes a plurality of spaced apart fingers or teeth 40. Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 8In the embodiment shown in , there are ten teeth 30, although those skilled in the art will recognize that more or fewer teeth 30 may be appropriate, depending on the number of sample wells that need to be formed in the electrophoretic separation medium. Preferably, each tooth 30 extends from the body of the comb 30 in the same direction and to the same extent, has the same size and shape (generally rectangular), and terminates at a free end. Proper positioning of the comb 30 into the gel casting assembly 10 causes the teeth 30 to extend into the electrophoresis gel, which enables tooth-shaped wells to be formed in the electrophoresis gel to form well shapes that match the shape of the teeth 40. That is, when the medium is photopolymerized, the teeth 40 serve to occupy areas that the medium would otherwise occupy, so that after the medium is photopolymerized and the comb 30 is subsequently removed, areas without photopolymerized medium remain and define wells for introducing samples to be subjected to electrophoresis. The dimensions of the comb 30 are designed to provide a friction fit within the gel casting assembly 10 so that a user can insert the comb 30 into the gel casting assembly 10 in a manner that provides a minimal amount of gel material trapped between the comb 30 and the inner wall of the gel casting assembly 10. Suitable materials of construction for the comb 30 include those that are compatible with the gel casting solution, such as, but not limited to, polycarbonate plastics, glass, and / or paper. As previously explained, the masking device 20, masking device 20a, masking device 20b, masking device 70 can be constructed of any material that is configured to prevent light from passing through the masking device 20 and photopolymerizing the electrophoretic gel. The masking device 20, masking device 20a, masking device 20b, masking device 70 can be constructed of ultraviolet ("UV") blocking polyester, UV blocking acrylic, UV blocking color filter film, or a polarized film of any material that prevents photopolymerization of the electrophoretic gel. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the masking device 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be constructed in such a manner that any wavelength of light, including light in the visible spectrum, can be prevented from passing through the masking device 20, 20a, 20b, 70 if the light is capable of photopolymerizing the electrophoresis gel. In addition, the masking device 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be composed of a UV blocking epoxy mask that can be attached to the gel cast assembly 10, printed directly onto the gel cast assembly 10, or in other embodiments, printed directly onto the comb 30. In these embodiments, the masking device 20, 20a, 20b, 70 is sized to provide a friction fit with the gel cast assembly 10 and / or the comb 30. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 The masking device 20 shown in FIG. 1 may additionally be composed of an optical coating, such as a vapor deposited optical coating, attached to the gel casting device 10. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 The masking device 20 shown in FIG. 1 may be an etched pattern on the gel casting device 10 , such as, but not limited to, a photo or laser etched pattern that matches the comb 30 , or an acid etch on the gel casting assembly 10 to match the teeth 40 configuration of the comb 30 .

[0060] Figures 1 to 8 The masking device 20 , 20a , 20b , 70 may be made as a permanent part of the gel cast assembly 10 , or may be made to be reusable with other gel cast assemblies 10 .

[0061] Go to Fig. 9 , a method 100 for utilizing one of the embodiments of the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 disclosed above is shown. At step 105, the masking device 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be coupled to the gel casting assembly 10. The gel casting assembly 10 can include a comb 30, as previously explained, which can be operably associated with the gel casting assembly 10 according to a specific embodiment for forming sample wells in the electrophoretic separation medium. The masking device 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be coupled to the gel casting assembly 10 via any of the methods or attachment means described above. At step 110, a liquid acrylamide resolving gel can be injected into the gel casting assembly 10. Then, at step 115, a photopolymerizable acrylamide stacking gel can be injected into the gel casting assembly 10 on top of the resolving gel. At step 120, the resolving gel and the stacking gel can be cured via photopolymerization. When the masking device 20, 20a, 20b, 70 is coupled to the gel casting assembly 10, the masking device 20, 20a, 20b, 70 prevents photopolymerization of a portion of the stacking gel disposed inside a portion of the gel casting assembly 10, in particular, prevents photopolymerization of the portion of the stacking gel disposed between the gel casting assembly 10 and the teeth of the comb 30.

[0062] Although the masking device presented herein has been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, as it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention and within the range of equivalents of the claims.

[0063] In addition, various features from one embodiment can be added to another embodiment. That is to say, it is believed that the disclosure set forth above covers a plurality of different inventions with independent practicality. Although each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, their specific embodiments disclosed and shown herein should not be considered in a limiting sense, because many variants are possible. The subject matter of the present invention includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of various elements, features, functions and / or characteristics disclosed herein. Therefore, it is appropriate that the appended claims should be interpreted broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the present disclosure set forth in the following claims.

[0064] It should also be understood that terms such as "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "side", "height", "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "interior", "exterior", "inner", "outer", etc., as may be used herein, merely describe reference points and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Furthermore, the term "exemplary" is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary should not be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as an example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, it should also be understood that the components of the gel casting assembly described herein, the masking device described herein, and / or portions thereof may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, such as, but not limited to, thermoplastics, plastics, or metals (e.g., copper, bronze, aluminum, steel, etc.), derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, it should be further understood that the steps of the methods described herein may be performed in any order or in any suitable manner.

[0065] Finally, when used in this article, the term "comprise" and its derivatives (such as "comprising", etc.) should not be understood in an exclusive manner, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that the described and defined content can include additional elements, steps, etc. Similarly, in the case where any description refers to "one" or "first" element or its equivalent, such disclosure should be understood to include the incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. At the same time, when used in this article, the term "approximately" and its word family terms (such as "about", etc.) should be understood to represent values ​​that are very close to those accompanying the above terms. That is, deviations from the exact value within reasonable limits should be accepted, because those skilled in the art will understand that such deviations from the indicated values ​​are inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the terms "about", "approximately", "roughly" and "substantially".

Claims

1. A masking device for improving the fidelity of a sample well of a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel contained in a gel casting assembly, the gel casting assembly comprising a comb having one or more teeth, the masking device include: a light blocking mechanism coupled to the gel casting assembly; wherein the light blocking mechanism overlaps the comb teeth to prevent photopolymerization of any portion of the electrophoresis gel contained between the comb teeth and the inner surface of the gel casting assembly; and Wherein, after the comb is removed after photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel, the sample wells remain uniform.

2. The masking device of claim 1 , wherein the light blocking mechanism comprises one or more teeth configured to align with the one or more comb teeth, and wherein the one or more teeth of the light blocking mechanism prevent photopolymerization of a portion of the electrophoresis gel contained between the comb teeth and the inner surface of the gel casting assembly.

3. A masking arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the comb is removably located in or on the gel cast assembly.

4. A masking arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the masking arrangement is reusable.

5. A masking arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the comb has 10, 12 or 15 teeth.

6. A masking arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the masking arrangement is dimensioned to provide a friction fit with the gel casting assembly.

7. A masking arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the masking arrangement is attached to the outer surface of the gel cast assembly via adhesive or electrical bonding.

8. The masking device of claim 6, wherein the masking device is mechanically attached to an outer side of the gel cast assembly.

9. The masking device according to claim 6, wherein the masking device is made of a transparent or opaque material.

10. A masking device for improving the fidelity of a sample well of a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel, the masking device include: a light blocking device connectable to the gel casting assembly; The light blocking device prevents photopolymerization of a portion of the electrophoresis gel by preventing light from reaching an interior portion of the gel casting assembly. The masking device according to claim 10 , wherein the light blocking device blocks ultraviolet light.

12. A masking device according to claim 11, wherein the light blocking means is a light blocking film, coating or etching on or in the gel cast assembly.

13. The masking device of claim 12, wherein the light-blocking film is a light-blocking polyester, acrylic, a color filter film, or a polarizing film.

14. The masking device of claim 13, wherein the light blocking film is a printed light blocking epoxy mask.

15. The masking device of claim 12, wherein the light blocking means is a vapor deposited optical coating.

16. The masking device of claim 10, wherein the light blocking device is a laser or acid etched pattern.

17. The masking device according to claim 10, further comprising a comb having a plurality of comb teeth, wherein the light blocking device blocks light from reaching the plurality of comb teeth.

18. A method for curing a photopolymerizable electrophoretic gel, wherein include: coupling the masking device to the gel casting assembly; injecting liquid acrylamide separation gel into the gel casting assembly; additionally injecting a photopolymerizable acrylamide stacking gel into the gel casting assembly on top of the separating gel; curing the separating gel and the stacking gel via photopolymerization; and The masking device prevents photopolymerization of the stacking gel inside a portion of the gel casting assembly to facilitate improving the fidelity of sample wells of the photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel in the gel casting assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the masking device is located on an outer surface of the gel casting assembly.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the masking device is located within the gel casting assembly.

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