Sample well comb mask for a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel

Abstract

The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a masking device (20) for improving the fidelity of sample wells of a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel included in a gel casting assembly (10), where the gel casting assembly (10) comprises a comb (30) having one or more teeth. The masking device (20) includes a light blocking agent fixedly disposed on the gel casting assembly (10), and the light blocking agent overlaps the teeth of the comb to prevent photopolymerization of a portion of the electrophoresis gel included between the comb and the inner surface of the gel casting assembly. When the comb is removed after photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel, the sample wells remain uniform.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

[0003] In all of these procedures, a mixed sample of biological entities is applied to an electrophoresis gel, and the components are separated by the application of 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 this detection after the gel has been developed, the gel is stained by incubating the gel in an appropriate stain for a period of time, and then a destaining process, determined by the stain selection, follows with a destaining composition. The protein bands of the stained gel are compared to a known protein ladder included as a sample on the gel to assist in determining the molecular weight of the protein of interest. In some cases, additional information regarding the protein of interest is obtained by further transfer of the protein of interest followed by immunodetection. After staining, typically, the gel support is contacted with a blotting membrane, and the substances are transferred to the blotting membrane in the same pattern as they appear on the gel. Then, to reduce non-specific binding (otherwise leading to high levels of noise and low levels of detection), the membrane is blocked, at a minimum, by incubating it with a protein or a cleaning solution. Typical blocking agents include casein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), non-fat dry milk (generally about 1 - 5%) in Tris-buffered saline with TWEEN(R) surfactant (TBS-T solution) or phosphate-buffered saline with TWEEN(R) surfactant (PBS-T solution). The biological entity is then incubated with an antibody specific for the antigen on the membrane. The membrane is then extensively washed to remove any contaminants, unbound blocking proteins, or antibodies, and the like. The membrane is then treated and incubated with a secondary enzyme-conjugated antibody, radioisotope-conjugated antibody, fluorfluor-conjugated antibody, or biotin-conjugated antibody specific for the primary antibody. The membrane is washed extensively again to remove any unbound secondary antibody.Next, a detection reagent, generally a chromogenic, chemiluminescent, fluorescent, radioactive, or streptavidin-labeled substance, is applied, which either binds to the enzyme complex or is a substrate of the enzyme complex. 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, dual, and multi-cast systems. Most hand-casting systems require the user to set up the system by an assembly of a series of variable-sized glass plates with spacers corresponding to the thickness of the gel (e.g., 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm) that is to be cast. The desired gel thickness can be determined by the sample volume required for the electrophoresis process. Glass plates are very fragile and prone to chipping and breakage during cleaning, handling, and / or storage. Glass is the most common material for gel hand-casting because it provides an optimal reusable interface with acrylamide for both gel polymerization and removal. Glass plates are also less susceptible to surface damage during cleaning than other materials such as plastic. Most non-reusable or disposable hand-casting systems utilize treated plastic, which can be advantageous as a release surface for the cast gel.

[0005] These systems are cumbersome to manage, require a large number of components, which must be properly aligned and filled into a holder that mechanically compresses a glass plate together to press the glass against a gasket or similar to prevent acrylamide from leaking out of the system and cassette assembly. The gaskets used in these systems are of various designs specific to the system in use. These gaskets or seals are exposed to liquid acrylamide and in many cases acrylamide can soak in, making them difficult to clean for subsequent use and can also cause leakage problems. Filling the cassette components into the system requires precise alignment and the user typically tests the assembly with deionized water to ensure no leakage prior to casting with acrylamide. The deionized water must be removed prior to casting. If leakage is detected, the assembly and cassette components must be adjusted and the process repeated.

[0006] Once the system is properly assembled, the first step in the casting process begins with injecting a liquid acrylamide resolving gel into the cassette (usually by pipette). In single and dual systems, this requires the user to inject into the narrow opening at the top of each individual cassette. Multi-cast systems may allow the user to overflow the entire stack at once, but can create excess acrylamide waste that must be cleaned up after the process is complete.

[0007] Visibility into the cassette is important to achieve the desired height of the separating gel, which is advantageous in single cassette systems but not achievable beyond the first few layers of multi-cast systems.

[0008] The second step in the casting process involves injecting an acrylamide stacking gel into each cassette, again usually by pipette. This also requires the user to inject into the narrow openings at the top of each individual cassette. Once the stacking gel has been introduced into the cassette, the user inserts a sample well comb that matches the gel thickness. The teeth of the comb that form the sample wells are slightly thinner than the space between the glass plates that form the desired gel thickness to allow the comb to be inserted into the cassette. The comb is constructed with several teeth to form the wells, and the number is based on the sample size and the desired well volume (common configurations are 10, 12, and 15 wells). It is important that during insertion of the comb, it is centered left to right with respect to the cassette and remains fixed both during and after hardening of the stacking gel. It is also important that the comb can be removed without breaking the polymerized wells (for electrophoretic sample loading). Conventionally, any acrylamide solution occupying the space between the glass plate and the comb does not harden and, after removal of the comb, prior to sample introduction for the electrophoresis process.

[0009] Acrylamide separating and stacking gels often take 30 - 45 minutes to harden, depending on the reagents and their concentrations respectively. As a result, it has been demonstrated that modification of the reagents and concentrations enables photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel that significantly reduces the hardening time for the user. However, when the acrylamide stacking gel is hardened using photopolymerization, any stacking gel solution that may be present between the comb teeth and the glass can harden into a thin film within the wells, causing variations in the sample wells for each well and for the completed gel, and also allowing damage to the polymerized wells when the comb is removed.

[0010] During photoinitiated photocuring of the gel, it is desirable to provide a masking device, either reusable or single - use, to the gel casting assembly, which improves the process of photopolymerizing the electrophoresis gel as well as the fidelity of the wells after photopolymerization.

[0011] Accordingly, an object of the embodiments disclosed herein is a component or device that is either external or internal to the flow path of the gel casting assembly and is either permanently attached or removably attached, and that provides a mask for the sample well welcome teeth and prevents any residual concentrated solution between the inner 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 the gel sample wells.

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

[0014] These and other objects are achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

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

[0016] In one embodiment, a masking device for improving the fidelity of sample wells of a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel included in a gel casting assembly, the gel casting assembly including a comb having one or more comb teeth, the masking device including a light blocking agent fixedly disposed on the gel casting assembly, the light blocking agent overlapping the comb teeth to prevent photopolymerization of any portion of the electrophoresis gel included between the comb teeth and the inner surface of the gel casting assembly, and the sample wells remaining uniform upon removal of the comb after photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the light blocking agent includes one or more teeth configured to align with one or more comb teeth, and the one or more teeth of the light blocking agent prevent photopolymerization of a portion of the electrophoresis gel included between the comb teeth and the inner surface of the gel casting assembly.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the comb is removably disposed within 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 a gel cassette assembly.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the masking device further includes a film that is attached to the gel cassette assembly to further suppress photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel.

[0023] In certain embodiments, the masking device is attached to the gel cassette assembly by an adhesive or electroadhesion.

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

[0025] In certain embodiments, the film is made from 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 a sample well of a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel, the masking device comprising a light blocking device coupled to a gel casting assembly, the light blocking device preventing any photopolymerization of a portion of the electrophoresis gel by preventing light from reaching the interior of the gel casting assembly.

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

[0028] In certain embodiments, the light blocking device is a light blocking film, coating, or etching on or within the gel casting assembly.

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

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

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

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

[0033] In certain embodiments, the masking device has a comb with a plurality of comb teeth, and the light blocking device blocks light from reaching the plurality of comb teeth.

[0034] In other embodiments, disclosed is a method of curing a photopolymerized electrophoresis gel, comprising coupling a masking device to a gel casting assembly, injecting a liquid acrylamide separation gel into the gel casting assembly, further injecting a photopolymerizable acrylamide concentration gel into the gel casting assembly on top of the separation gel, and curing the separation gel and the concentration gel using photopolymerization, wherein the masking device prevents photopolymerization of the concentration gel inside a portion of the gel casting assembly to improve the fidelity of sample wells of the photopolymerized electrophoresis gel within the gel casting assembly.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the method further comprises disposing the masking device outside the gel casting assembly.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the method further comprises disposing the masking device within the gel casting assembly.

[0037] The apparatuses, assemblies, devices, and components presented herein may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. It is to be understood that some of the elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale and that emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles disclosed herein. In the figures, like reference numerals indicate corresponding and / or equivalent components / elements throughout the different figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and like numerals throughout represent like parts, and in which, by way of illustration, embodiments that may be practiced are shown. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0040] Aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in the description herein. Alternative embodiments of the present disclosure and their equivalents may be devised without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that any discussion in this specification regarding "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "exemplary embodiments", and the like, indicates that the described embodiment may include a particular function, structure, or feature, and that such particular function, structure, or feature may not necessarily be included in all embodiments. Additionally, references to the foregoing do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Finally, whether or not explicitly described, those skilled in the art will readily understand that each particular function, structure, or feature of a given embodiment can be used in relation to or in combination with those of any other embodiment discussed in this specification.

[0041] Various operations may be described in sequence as a plurality of distinct actions or operations in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as suggesting that these operations are necessarily order-dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order presented. The described operations may be performed in an order different from the described embodiments. Various additional operations may be performed and / or the described operations may be omitted in additional embodiments.

[0042] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the expression "A and / or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the expression "A, B, and / or C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0043] The terms "comprise", "include", "have", and the like are synonyms when used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a gel casting assembly 10 having a masking device 20 and a comb 30 including teeth 40, according to a particular embodiment. The masking device 20 and the comb 30 can be constructed of one or more moldings that are chemically compatible with the gel casting solution. In certain embodiments, 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.

[0045] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a gel casting assembly 10 having a masking device 20a and a comb 30 including teeth 40, according to a particular embodiment. The masking device 20a and the comb 30 can be constructed of one or more moldings that are chemically compatible with the gel casting solution. In certain embodiments, the masking device 20a is removably attached to the gel casting assembly 10.

[0046] In any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, or 4, the masking device 20 can be disposed outside the gel casting assembly 10 or can be included within the gel casting assembly 10 in direct contact with a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel retained inside the gel casting assembly 10. Further, the masking devices 20, 20a are sized such that they correspond to the combs 30 and have the same shape as the comb teeth 40 within or on the gel casting assembly 10, such that as a result, the photopolymerization light passes through the masking devices 20, 20a and cannot interact with a portion of the electrophoresis gel, and thus prevents the electrophoresis gel disposed behind the masking devices 20, 20a from photopolymerizing. This allows the uniform wells of the electrophoresis gel to polymerize, such that when the combs 30 are removed, the gel casting assembly 10 and the resulting gel do not deform or tear, which, if it occurred, would render the gel unusable.

[0047] Moving on to FIG. 5, illustrated is a perspective view of the masking device 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The masking device 20 can be constructed in a flat shape and can be fixedly attached to the inside or outside of the gel casting assembly 10 using an adhesive or electroadhesion. Similar to other embodiments, the masking device 20 as shown in FIG. 5 can have one or more teeth 60 that match the tooth configuration of the comb 30. The masking device 20 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be constructed of any material 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 is constructed such that the 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 the gel into the well area between the teeth 40 of the gel casting assembly 10. According to certain embodiments, the masking device 20 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be screen printed onto the gel casting assembly 10. According to other embodiments, the masking device 20 can be acid etched or laser etched onto the gel casting assembly 10. According to further embodiments, the masking device 20 can be a stick-on vinyl masking device.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the masking device 20a can be made of a shaped component or assembly that can be clipped or slid onto the top of the gel casting assembly 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, using attachment points 50. The masking device 20a can have one or more teeth 60, and preferably 10 teeth, 12 teeth, or 15 teeth, to match the tooth configuration of the comb 30. The masking device 20a illustrated in FIG. 6 can be made of any material 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 constructed such that the 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 a visual confirmation of the alignment between the masking device 20a and the comb 30 of the gel casting assembly 10.

[0049] Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the masking device 20b, which can be constructed from a flat shape and can be folded in part, and the attachment point 50 is folded to a location that allows the masking device 20b to be clipped or slid onto the top of the gel casting assembly 10. Similar to other embodiments, the masking device 20b as shown in Figure 7 can have one or more teeth 60 that match the tooth configuration of the comb 30. The masking device 20b of Figure 7 can be made of any material 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 constructed such that the 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 can visually confirm the alignment between the masking device 20b and the comb 30 of the gel casting assembly 10. Additionally, when the masking device 20b is at least partially transparent, the user can see where to pour the gel in the well area between the teeth 40 of the gel casting assembly 10.

[0050] Moving on to FIG. 8, illustrated is another embodiment of the masking device 70, where 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 clipped or slid onto the top of the gel casting assembly 10 of FIGS. 3 and 4 using the attachment point 50. The masking device 70 can have one or more teeth 80, and preferably, 10 teeth, 12 teeth, or 15 teeth. The masking device 70 illustrated in FIG. 8 can be constructed of any material 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 constructed such that the 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 a visual confirmation of the teeth 80 when pouring the gel into the gel casting assembly 10.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8, the comb 30 is operatively associated with a gel casting assembly 10 for forming sample wells in an electrophoresis separation medium according to a particular embodiment. In the embodiment shown, the comb 30 includes a plurality of spaced-apart fingers or teeth 40. While there are 10 teeth 30 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 8, those skilled in the art will understand that more or fewer teeth 30 may be suitable depending on the number of sample wells desired to be formed in the electrophoresis separation medium. Preferably, each of the teeth 30 extends from the body portion of the comb 30 in the same direction and to the same extent, is of the same size and shape (substantially rectangular), and terminates at a free end. Proper positioning of the comb 30 within the gel casting assembly 10 results in teeth 30 extending into the electrophoresis gel, which enables the formation of teeth-shaped wells within the electrophoresis gel so as to form well shapes that conform to the shape of the teeth 40. That is, during photopolymerization of the medium, the teeth 40 serve to occupy regions that would otherwise be occupied by the medium, such that upon photopolymerization of the medium and subsequent removal of the comb 30, regions lacking the photopolymerized medium remain and define wells for introduction of samples to be subjected to electrophoresis. The comb 30 is sized to provide a friction fit within the gel casting assembly 10 such that the 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 for construction of the comb 30 include, but are not limited to, those compatible with the gel casting solution such as polycarbonate plastic, glass, and / or paper. As previously explained, the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be constructed from any material configured to prevent light from passing through the masking device 20 and photopolymerizing the electrophoresis gel. The masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be constructed of ultraviolet-blocking (“UV”) polyester, UV-blocking acrylic, a UV-blocking color filter film, or a polarizing film of any material that prevents photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel.It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be constructed in such a manner that any wavelength of light within the visible spectrum, when light can photopolymerize the electrophoresis gel, can be prevented from passing through the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70. Further, the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be constructed of a UV blocking epoxy mask that is printed directly onto the gel casting assembly 10 or, in other embodiments, directly onto the comb 30 and can be attached to the gel casting assembly 10. In these embodiments, the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 are sized to provide a friction fit with the gel casting assembly 10 and / or the comb 30. The masking device 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 can be further constructed of an optical coating, such as a vapor deposited optical coating, that is attached to the gel casting device 10. Additionally, the masking device 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 can be an etched pattern on the gel casting device 10, such as, but not limited to, a light or laser etched pattern that matches the comb 30 or an acid etch on the gel casting assembly 10 to match the tooth 40 configuration of the comb 30.

[0052] The masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 of FIGS. 1 - 8 can be made to be a permanent part of the gel casting assembly 10 or can be made to be reusable with other gel casting assemblies 10.

[0053] Moving on to FIG. 9, illustrated is a method 100 for utilizing one of the embodiments of the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 disclosed above. At step 105, the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be coupled to the gel casting assembly 10. The gel casting assembly 10 can include a comb 30 that is operably associated with the gel casting assembly 10 to form sample wells in an electrophoresis separation medium according to a particular embodiment, as described above. The masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 can be coupled to the gel casting assembly 10 by either the method or mounting means described above. At step 110, a liquid acrylamide separation gel can be injected into the gel casting assembly 10. Next, at step 115, a photopolymerizable acrylamide concentration gel can be injected into the gel casting assembly 10 on top of the separation gel. At step 120, the separation gel and the concentration gel can be cured via photopolymerization. Since the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 are coupled to the gel casting assembly 10, the masking devices 20, 20a, 20b, 70 prevent the photopolymerization of a portion of the concentration gel disposed inside a portion of the gel casting assembly 10 and, specifically, a portion of the concentration gel disposed between the gel casting assembly 10 and the comb teeth of the comb 30.

[0054] The masking devices presented herein have been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to their particular embodiments, but nevertheless, it is clear that various modifications and structural changes can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention and within the scope of the equivalents of the claims, and thus it is not intended to be limited to the details shown.

[0055] In addition, various features from one of the embodiments can be incorporated into another of the embodiments. That is, the disclosure set forth above is considered to include a plurality of distinct inventions with independent utility. Each of these inventions is disclosed in its preferred embodiments, but the specific embodiments as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be taken in a limiting sense, as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present invention includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions, and / or characteristics disclosed herein. Accordingly, the appended claims are to be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

[0056] Terms such as "left," "right," "up," "down," "front," "back," "side," "height," "length," "width," "above," "below," "inside," "outside," "inner," "outer," and the like, as used herein, are for purposes of describing a point of reference only and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term "exemplary" is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the components of the gel casting assembly described herein, the masking devices described herein, and / or portions thereof, while not limited thereto, can be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials such as thermoplastics, plastics, or metals (e.g., copper, bronze, aluminum, steel, etc.), and derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. In addition, it is to be further understood that the steps of the methods described herein can be performed in any order or in any suitable manner.

[0057] Finally, as used herein, the terms "comprise" and its derivatives (such as "comprising") should not be understood in an exclusive sense; that is, these terms should not be construed to exclude the possibility that the things being described and defined may include additional elements, steps, etc. Similarly, if any description recites "a" or "first" element or their equivalents, such disclosure should be understood to include the incorporation of one or more such elements without excluding or precluding the need for two or more such elements. At the same time, as used herein, the terms "about" and its ilk (such as "approximate") should be understood to denote a value that is very close to that associated with the terms described above. That is, deviations within reasonable limits from the exact value should be acceptable, because one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such deviations from the value shown are inevitable, for example, due to measurement inaccuracies. The same applies to the terms "approximately", "around", "generally", and "substantially".

Claims

1. A masking device for improving the fidelity of sample wells of a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel included in a gel casting assembly, the gel casting assembly including a comb having one or more comb teeth, the masking device comprising a light blocking agent coupled to the gel casting assembly, the light blocking agent overlapping the comb teeth to prevent photopolymerization of any portion of the electrophoresis gel included between the comb teeth and the inner surface of the gel casting assembly, the masking device, upon removal of the comb after photopolymerization of the electrophoresis gel, leaving the sample wells uniform.

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

3. The masking device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the comb is removably disposed within or on the gel casting assembly.

4. The masking device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the masking device is reusable.

5. The masking device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the comb has 10, 12, or 15 teeth.

6. The masking device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the masking device is sized to provide a friction fit with the gel casting assembly.

7. The masking device of claim 6, wherein the masking device attaches to the outer surface of the gel casting assembly via an adhesive or electroadhesion.

8. The masking device of claim 6, wherein the masking device attaches mechanically to the outside of the gel casting assembly.

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

10. A masking device for improving the fidelity of sample wells of a photopolymerizable electrophoresis gel, comprising a light blocking device attachable to a gel casting assembly. A masking device in which a light-blocking device prevents photopolymerization of a portion of an electrophoretic gel by preventing light from reaching the interior of a gel-casting assembly.

11. The masking device according to claim 10, wherein the light-blocking device blocks ultraviolet light.

12. The masking device according to claim 11, wherein the light-blocking device is a light-blocking film, coating, or etching on or within the gel-casting assembly.

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

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

15. The masking device according to claim 12, wherein the light-blocking device is a vapor-deposited optical coating.

16. The masking device according to 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 of curing a photopolymerizable electrophoretic gel, comprising: coupling a masking device to a gel-casting assembly; injecting a liquid acrylamide separation gel into the gel-casting assembly; further injecting a photopolymerizable acrylamide concentration gel into the gel-casting assembly on top of the separation gel; curing the separation gel and the concentration gel via a photopolymerization means, wherein the masking device prevents photopolymerization of the concentration gel inside a portion of the gel-casting assembly to improve the fidelity of a sample well of the photopolymerizable electrophoretic gel within the gel-casting assembly.

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

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the masking device is disposed within the gel-casting assembly. ​

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