SIMULTANEOUS LOADING OF 200 SAMPLE LANES FOR DNA-SEQUENCING ON VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL, STANDARD AND ULTRATHIN GELS

We have developed a simple and efficient technique for automated paral lel loading of greater than or equal to 200 lanes on a 30 cm-wide gel in automated DNA sequencing, using porous filter materials and an asso ciated manual or robotic system. The samples are loaded onto the teeth of a comb made of the porous material. The comb, with samples, is ins erted directly above the straight edge of the polymerized gel. The sam ples are driven from the comb into the gel by the applied electrical f ield. A particularly advantageous aspect of this method is the elimina tion of the thin gel walls separating the sample wells in the standard gel loading technique. The time for sample loading is significantly r educed to a few minutes. The loading technique is applicable to horizo ntal or vertical systems, with standard or ultrathin gels.