SERVA offers a broad range of precast polyacrylamide gels for horizontal isoelectric focusing. The poylacrylamide layer is either bound to a sturdy support GEL-FIX™, an inert polyester film, activated to bind irreversibly to polyacrylamide, or to NetFix™, an inert polyester fabric, activated to bind polyacrylamide but open to both sides of the gel. NetFix™ is particularly useful when blotting is applied after electrophoresis as it stabilizes the gel but leaves both gel surfaces open, suitable for transfer. 

The surface of each precast gel is protected with a thin cover sheet (GEL-FIX™ for covers) against damage and drying out. SERVA precast gels are separately packed, each individually sealed in an aluthen bag which adds to longevity. 

SERVA precast gels are ready-to-use and offered with thin and ultrathin gel layers.
SERVALYT™ PRECOTES™ with 0.15 mm or 0.3 mm gel thickness are recommended when high resolution and fast separation is required and low amount of sample material is available.

Samples are loaded by use of an applicator strip (made from silicon). Various strips differing in number and shape of slots are available from SERVA. The applicator strip can be positioned at any location on the gel - samples can be loaded at optimum of solubility, anodically to mid-position to cathodically. Usually, an IEF run is completed within 3 hours (depending on gel size).

FocusGels with 0.65 mm gel thickness are less sensitive to “salt effects” than SERVALYT™ PRECOTES™ . Due to the high buffering capacity the FocusGel is the gel of choice for all separations of salt carrying samples like serum, CSF, cell and tissue extracts. No electrode solutions and electrode stripes are used; the electrodes are placed directly on the gel surface. FocusGels are available with or without sample slots.

Staining is performed in the same way as one is used to from handling other gels, precast or self-cast. There is no need to change the staining procedure or protocol. Gels can be air-dried over night at room temperature.

Overview: SERVA Precast Gels for IEF

• SERVALYT™ PRECOTES™:
  General purpose gels, ready-to-use, selected pH ranges and formats

• SERVALYT™ PRECOTES™ Kits:
  Gels optimized for special applications (CSF)

• SERVALYT™ PreNets™:
  Ready-to-use gels with NetFix™, ideally suited for subsequent blotting transfer

• Blank PRECOTES™ /PreNets™:
  Multifunctional precast gels for any pH range, to be equilibrated in ampholyte of choice, also suited to IEF in the presence of urea, Blank PreNets™ ideally suited for subsequent blotting transfer

• FocusGels:
  Non-toxic gels with high buffering capacity, ideally suited for salt carrying samples e.g. CSF, ready-to-use, selected pH ranges and formats, available with slots

• Blank FocusGels: Precast gels for any pH range, to be equilibrated in ampholyte of choice, gel marix with high buffer capacity, available either with or without slots