High-quality protein gel electrophoresis is essential for a successful western blotting experiment. Invitrogen offers precast protein gels in four distinct chemistries for SDS-PAGE, enabling you to customize the separation based on your target protein's molecular weight. This helps ensure sharp, well-defined bands, leading to efficient transfer and enhanced detection of your protein.

Invitrogen Tetra Electrophoresis Cores allow you to run high-performance Invitrogen Precast Protein Gels in your Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN® Tetra Cell tank. The Tetra Electrophoresis Cores are easy to assemble and use. The set includes:

  • Tetra Electrophoresis Primary Core—run up to 2 gels
  • Tetra Electrophoresis Companion Core—run two additional gels when combined with the primary core
  • Buffer dam—run 1 gel when used in combination with the primary core or 3 gels when used in combination with the primary and companion cores
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    Upgrade to high-performance protein gels:

    • Fast run times—separate your proteins in 14 minutes (Bolt Bis-Tris Plus gels) with fast protocols
    • WedgeWell format—high-capacity wells with double the sample loading volume in an easy-to-load format
    • Excellent protein integrity—neutral pH helps reduce protein degradation
    • Wide range of molecular weight separation—optimal protein separation
    • Long shelf life—up to 16 months at room temperature

     

    Tetra performance data

    Avoid losing important information about your sample and obtain sharp straight bands for high and low molecular weight proteins alike

     Both Bolt Bis-Tris Plus and Novex Tris-Glycine Plus WedgeWell format mini gels outperform Bio-Rad gels producing crisp bands and straight protein lanes, as shown in Figure 1.

    Conversely, proteins can be observed in the wells of Bio-Rad for lysate loads above 20 µg, and protein bands appear to be less sharp. Bolt gradient gels in combination with MES running buffer, display an exceptional resolving power, with protein bands resolved across a broader range of the gel.

    Coomassie stain gel images of Invitrogen Bis-Tris, Tris Glycine and Bio-Rad TGX protein gels
    Fluorescent western blot images with Invitrogen Bis-Tris, Tris Glycine and Bio-Rad TGX protein gels

    Figure 1. Performance comparison of Invitrogen mini gel electrophoresis versus Bio-Rad’s TGX mini gels run with Tetra Electrophoresis Cores in Bio-Rad’s Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell tank. (A) Fluorescent western blotting of Precast Protein Gels transfered with the Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell Tank (B). Coomassie (SimplyBlue Safe Stain) stained gels loaded with PageRuler Plus Unstained Standard and HEK293 lysate.


    Different tank, same exceptional performance

    Invitrogen precast mini gels show excellent separation whether the electrophoretic separation is performed with the Tetra Electrophoresis Cores in the Bio-Rad’s Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell or in the Invitrogen Mini Cell Tank, as shown in Figure 2.

    Coomassie stained Invitrogen mini gels electrophoresed in the Invitrogen Mini Gel Tank and Bio-Rad Mini Tank
    Figure 2. Equivalent performance of NuPAGE Bis-Tris 4–12% 10W gels run with MES running buffer in the Mini gel Tank and the Tetra Electrophoresis Cores in the Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN Tetra tank. Coomassie (SimplyBlue Safe Stain) stained gels loaded with PageRuler Plus Unstained Standard and HEK293 lysate.


    Fast run time

    Tetra Electrophoresis Cores allow the adoption of rapid protocols that reduce the overall separation time of Bolt Bis-Tris Plus and Novex Tris-Glycine Plus WedgeWell format mini gels. Figure 3 shows that the impact to gel performance is negligible.

    Invitrogen Novex Tris-Glycine Coomassie stained gels separated using standard and fast protocols.

    Figure 3. The rapid protocol saves 14 minutes of run time while having similar performance to the standard protocol. Coomassie (SimplyBlue Safe Stain) stained gels loaded with PageRuler Plus Unstained Standard and HEK293 lysate.

    Tetra Core Set

     Tetra Core Set
    Gel specifications

    Gel size: Mini (8 x 8 cm)

    Gel cassette: 10 x 10 cm

    Gel format: standard or WedgeWell

    Thickness: 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm

    CapacityUp to 4 gels
    AdvantagesAllows running Invitrogen mini gels in Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell
    Buffer requirements

    750 mL for 2 gels 

    1100 mL for 4 gels

    Unit dimensions

    15 x 5.1 x 14.4 cm (Primary)

    15 x 5.1 x 12.3 cm (Companion)

    MaterialPolycarbonate
    Electrode wirePlatinum
    Electrode limits600 VDC or 30 Watts
    Transfer unit-
    Transfer capacity-
    Compatible power supplyPowerEase Touch systems, Bio-Rad Power Pac systems
    Catalog number1658040

    Gel chemistry selection guide

    Tailor the separation to your target protein by selecting one of the four available gel chemistries.

     Bis-TrisTris-Glycine Tris-AcetateTricine
    Molecular weight rangeBroad (6–400 kDa)Broad (6–400 kDa)High (40–500 kDa)Low (2.5–40 kDa)
    WedgeWell format 
    Reduced protein degradation  
    Extended shelf life   
    Faster Run times   

    Electrophoresis conditions for NuPAGE and Novex Mini Gels using the Invitrogen Tetra Electrophoresis

    Gel typeVoltage (constant)Estimated run time
    Bolt Bis-Tris Plus with MES Running Buffer200 V20 minutes
    Bolt Bis-Tris Plus with MOPS Running Buffer200 V28 minutes
    NuPAGE Bis-Tris with MES Running Buffer200 V25 minutes
    NuPAGE Bis-Tris with MOPS Running Buffer200 V38 minutes
    Novex Tris-Glycine Plus with SDS Running Buffer225 V33 minutes
    Novex Tris-Glycine Plus with Native Running Buffer225 V90 minutes
    NuPAGE Tris-Acetate with SDS Running Buffer150 V54 minutes
    NuPAGE Tris-Acetate with Native Running Buffer125 V120 minutes
    Novex Tricine with SDS Running Buffer150 V63 minutes
    NativePAGE Bis-Tris with NativePAGE Running Buffer150 V120 minutes

    For fast run times, the recommended rapid run conditions are provided in the following table for various types of gels. To reduce the heat generated during the rapid run, always fill the tank to the 4 gel fill line even if running only 2 gels.

    Gel typeVoltage (constant)Estimated run time
    Bolt Bis-Tris with MES Running Buffer 250 V14 minutes
    Novex Tris-Glycine with SDS Running Buffer300 V20 minutes

    Note: Run time may vary depending on gel percentage and the power supply used for electrophoresis. For the fastest run time, equilibrate gels to room temperature if stored at 4°C. Use caution when discarding the running buffer after the run is complete as rapid protocols will result in hotter buffer temperatures.

    Power output needed

    Number of mini gels100 W200 W300 W
    Up to 4
    Up to 8X
    Up to 12X
    Up to 16XX

    Tetra Core Set and Precast Protein Gel Combos

    Primary and Companion Tetra Electrophoresis Cores with Invitrogen precast protein gels

    Tetra performance data

    Avoid losing important information about your sample and obtain sharp straight bands for high and low molecular weight proteins alike

     Both Bolt Bis-Tris Plus and Novex Tris-Glycine Plus WedgeWell format mini gels outperform Bio-Rad gels producing crisp bands and straight protein lanes, as shown in Figure 1.

    Conversely, proteins can be observed in the wells of Bio-Rad for lysate loads above 20 µg, and protein bands appear to be less sharp. Bolt gradient gels in combination with MES running buffer, display an exceptional resolving power, with protein bands resolved across a broader range of the gel.

    Coomassie stain gel images of Invitrogen Bis-Tris, Tris Glycine and Bio-Rad TGX protein gels
    Fluorescent western blot images with Invitrogen Bis-Tris, Tris Glycine and Bio-Rad TGX protein gels

    Figure 1. Performance comparison of Invitrogen mini gel electrophoresis versus Bio-Rad’s TGX mini gels run with Tetra Electrophoresis Cores in Bio-Rad’s Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell tank. (A) Fluorescent western blotting of Precast Protein Gels transfered with the Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell Tank (B). Coomassie (SimplyBlue Safe Stain) stained gels loaded with PageRuler Plus Unstained Standard and HEK293 lysate.


    Different tank, same exceptional performance

    Invitrogen precast mini gels show excellent separation whether the electrophoretic separation is performed with the Tetra Electrophoresis Cores in the Bio-Rad’s Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell or in the Invitrogen Mini Cell Tank, as shown in Figure 2.

    Coomassie stained Invitrogen mini gels electrophoresed in the Invitrogen Mini Gel Tank and Bio-Rad Mini Tank
    Figure 2. Equivalent performance of NuPAGE Bis-Tris 4–12% 10W gels run with MES running buffer in the Mini gel Tank and the Tetra Electrophoresis Cores in the Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN Tetra tank. Coomassie (SimplyBlue Safe Stain) stained gels loaded with PageRuler Plus Unstained Standard and HEK293 lysate.


    Fast run time

    Tetra Electrophoresis Cores allow the adoption of rapid protocols that reduce the overall separation time of Bolt Bis-Tris Plus and Novex Tris-Glycine Plus WedgeWell format mini gels. Figure 3 shows that the impact to gel performance is negligible.

    Invitrogen Novex Tris-Glycine Coomassie stained gels separated using standard and fast protocols.

    Figure 3. The rapid protocol saves 14 minutes of run time while having similar performance to the standard protocol. Coomassie (SimplyBlue Safe Stain) stained gels loaded with PageRuler Plus Unstained Standard and HEK293 lysate.

    Tetra Core Set

     Tetra Core Set
    Gel specifications

    Gel size: Mini (8 x 8 cm)

    Gel cassette: 10 x 10 cm

    Gel format: standard or WedgeWell

    Thickness: 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm

    CapacityUp to 4 gels
    AdvantagesAllows running Invitrogen mini gels in Bio-Rad Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell
    Buffer requirements

    750 mL for 2 gels 

    1100 mL for 4 gels

    Unit dimensions

    15 x 5.1 x 14.4 cm (Primary)

    15 x 5.1 x 12.3 cm (Companion)

    MaterialPolycarbonate
    Electrode wirePlatinum
    Electrode limits600 VDC or 30 Watts
    Transfer unit-
    Transfer capacity-
    Compatible power supplyPowerEase Touch systems, Bio-Rad Power Pac systems
    Catalog number1658040

    Gel chemistry selection guide

    Tailor the separation to your target protein by selecting one of the four available gel chemistries.

     Bis-TrisTris-Glycine Tris-AcetateTricine
    Molecular weight rangeBroad (6–400 kDa)Broad (6–400 kDa)High (40–500 kDa)Low (2.5–40 kDa)
    WedgeWell format 
    Reduced protein degradation  
    Extended shelf life   
    Faster Run times   

    Electrophoresis conditions for NuPAGE and Novex Mini Gels using the Invitrogen Tetra Electrophoresis

    Gel typeVoltage (constant)Estimated run time
    Bolt Bis-Tris Plus with MES Running Buffer200 V20 minutes
    Bolt Bis-Tris Plus with MOPS Running Buffer200 V28 minutes
    NuPAGE Bis-Tris with MES Running Buffer200 V25 minutes
    NuPAGE Bis-Tris with MOPS Running Buffer200 V38 minutes
    Novex Tris-Glycine Plus with SDS Running Buffer225 V33 minutes
    Novex Tris-Glycine Plus with Native Running Buffer225 V90 minutes
    NuPAGE Tris-Acetate with SDS Running Buffer150 V54 minutes
    NuPAGE Tris-Acetate with Native Running Buffer125 V120 minutes
    Novex Tricine with SDS Running Buffer150 V63 minutes
    NativePAGE Bis-Tris with NativePAGE Running Buffer150 V120 minutes

    For fast run times, the recommended rapid run conditions are provided in the following table for various types of gels. To reduce the heat generated during the rapid run, always fill the tank to the 4 gel fill line even if running only 2 gels.

    Gel typeVoltage (constant)Estimated run time
    Bolt Bis-Tris with MES Running Buffer 250 V14 minutes
    Novex Tris-Glycine with SDS Running Buffer300 V20 minutes

    Note: Run time may vary depending on gel percentage and the power supply used for electrophoresis. For the fastest run time, equilibrate gels to room temperature if stored at 4°C. Use caution when discarding the running buffer after the run is complete as rapid protocols will result in hotter buffer temperatures.

    Power output needed

    Number of mini gels100 W200 W300 W
    Up to 4
    Up to 8X
    Up to 12X
    Up to 16XX

    Tetra Core Set and Precast Protein Gel Combos

    Primary and Companion Tetra Electrophoresis Cores with Invitrogen precast protein gels
    Protein Gels Performance Guarantee

    Protein Gels Performance Guarantee

    We stand behind the performance of our protein gels.

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