Thermo Fisher Gel Electrophoresis: Agarose Gels, SDS-PAGE & Blotting

From quick DNA checks to publication-quality westerns, Thermo Fisher covers the full workflow: gels, buffers and ladders, tanks and power supplies, membranes and detection, plus imaging. This collection brings the essentials together so you can compare options, bookmark SKUs, and build a reliable method. Iright distributes a wide range of Thermo Fisher products and can bundle what you need.

Agarose Gels & Nucleic Acid Supplies (DNA/RNA) — with SKUs

When you’re separating DNA or RNA, consistency in agarose quality, buffers, and ladders saves time. Start with a dependable agarose and pair it with the right running buffer for your fragment sizes, then choose a bright, low-hazard stain and a clear ladder for orientation and rough quantification.

Representative SKUs

SDS-PAGE Gels, Blotting Membranes & ECL Reagents — with SKUs

Protein targets demand neutral-pH gels and clean transfer. Thermo Fisher’s Bolt™ and NuPAGE™ precast gels reduce protein modification, while proven standards and ECL substrates streamline detection. Choose PVDF or nitrocellulose by protein size and downstream chemistry.

Representative SKUs

Gel Tanks, Electrophoresis Power Supplies & Gel Imagers

A clean run depends on the right chamber geometry and stable power delivery; publication-grade results depend on imaging that preserves sensitivity and linearity. Select vertical tanks for protein gels and horizontal (“submarine”) systems for agarose. Pair with a versatile power supply and an imager suited to your detection chemistry.

Representative SKUs

• Mini Gel Tank for precast protein gels (vertical): A25977.

• Owl™ EasyCast™ B1 (horizontal agarose system): B1-BP (with buffer exchange ports).

• PowerEase™ Touch 120 W Power Supply (DNA/RNA and SDS-PAGE): PS0120.

• Dual LED Blue/White Light Transilluminator (blue light + white, for gels and membranes): LB0100.

• iBright™ FL1500 Imaging System (chemiluminescence + fluorescence + colorimetric): A44115.

How to Choose Gel Electrophoresis Supplies (Decision Guide)

Most labs juggle DNA checks and protein blots. Use this at-a-glance guide to match your goal with a recommended setup. It’s designed to minimize method changes, reduce hands-on time, and keep you in a single ecosystem for consumables and service.

Decision Table

End-to-End Workflows: Nucleic Acids & Proteins

Build a complete path from sample to result. For nucleic acids, combine agarose, TAE/TBE, safe stains and blue-light imaging. For proteins, pair Bis-Tris gels with efficient transfer and chemiluminescent detection. The goal is fewer variables, faster turnaround, and reproducible outcomes.

Practical differences

• Matrix & chemistry: Agarose (TAE/TBE) vs Bis-Tris polyacrylamide (MES/MOPS).

• Orientation: Horizontal submarine (agarose) vs vertical mini cell (protein gels).

• Detection: Fluorescent DNA stains vs HRP-ECL substrates for westerns (e.g., West Pico PLUS).

Compatibility Matrix: Gels, Cassettes, Tanks & Imagers

Use this matrix to confirm that your gel format, tank, and imager align with your detection method and membranes.

FAQs: Thermo Fisher Gel Electrophoresis

1. Which buffer should I use for DNA?

TAE runs faster with lower buffering capacity; TBE offers sharper bands for small fragments and long runs. Match buffer to your fragment sizes and run time.

2. Are Bolt and NuPAGE gels cross-compatible with my existing mini tank?

Bolt and NuPAGE Bis-Tris mini gels run in Thermo Fisher’s Mini Gel Tank (A25977). Check cassette dimensions if mixing vendors.

3. PVDF or nitrocellulose?

PVDF (0.45 μm) binds strongly and suits most proteins; nitrocellulose offers low background and easy handling. Choose 0.2 μm for very small proteins. (Examples: PVDF 88518; Nitro 88014/88018.)

4. What’s the benefit of blue-light transillumination?

Blue light preserves DNA integrity compared with UV and works with SYBR Safe, reducing hazards and improving downstream cloning. Use LB0100 for blue/white illumination. 

5. Which ECL should I start with?

SuperSignal™ West Pico PLUS is a robust starting point for common targets and standard exposures; step up to higher sensitivity substrates as needed.

Get a Quote from Iright

Tell us your targets, detection chemistry, and instrument footprint. Iright can recommend a matched set (gels, buffers, membranes, tanks, power, and imaging), align SKUs with your lab’s SOPs, and provide consolidated pricing and delivery.