SureCast Gel Handcast System

100% leak-free*: never repour another gel due to leaks

Pour your own polyacrylamide mini gels easily and confidently with the Invitrogen SureCast Gel Handcast System.

System features

Leak-free* design
Durable glass plates
Single component assembly using a single-motion load-and-lock mechanism
Unique tilt feature- minimizes spillage during gel casting

Gel Size	Mini Gel- 8x8 cm (1.0 mm thick)
Cassette size	10cm x 9.8cm x 6.5mm
Combs available	1, 2, 10, 12, 15-well
Volume per gel	~7.7 mL
Compatible Equipment	Mini Gel Tank or XCell SureLock Mini-Cell
Chemical resistance	Handcast Station is impervious to most alcohols but not compatible with chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., chloroform), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., toluene, benzene), or acetone.

SureCast Gel Casting Reagents

	Product specifications
SureCast Stacking Buffer	0.5 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 6.8 Dry-blend powder, sufficient to make 500mL stacking gel buffer
SureCast Resolving Buffer	1.5 M Tris buffer, pH 8.8 Dry-blend powder, sufficient to make 500mL resolving buffer
SureCast APS	Ammonium persulfate-oxidizing agent that is used with TEMED to catalyze the polymerization of acrylamide and biacrylamide in the preparation of polyacrylamide gels for electrophoresis
SureCast Acrylamide Solution (40%)	Concentrated to enable casting of broader range of gel percentages Room temperature storage Safer alternative to powder acrylamide
SureCast TEMED	Tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED), essential catalyst for polyacrylamide gel polymerization
SureCast Reagent Product Benefits	Convenient—dissolve contents of one packet in water and the buffer is ready to use Saves time—no weighing, no calculations, no pH adjustment, no need to stock individual components Long shelf life—stocking and storage as dry powder eliminates concerns about long-term stability of stock solutions. Reconstituted buffer can be stored at room temperature for at least three months.

Get started with our bundle packs

Welcome packs

SureCast Gel Handcast Bundle A

Savings of up to 15%
Buy now

The Invitrogen SureCast Gel Handcast Bundle A includes all the hardware and reagents to get started:

2 SureCast Gel Handcast Stations
2 SureCast Glass Plate Sets (2 front, 2 back)
2 SureCast Sealing Pads (attached to handcast stations)
10 SureCast Gel Spacers
1 10-Well Multi-Use Tool
1 12-Well Multi-Use Tool
1 15-Well Multi-Use Tool
6 Gel Combs (2 each: 10-, 12-, 15-well)
1 SureCast Stacking Buffer 2-pack
1 SureCast Resolving Buffer 2-pack
1 SureCast APS (25 g)
1 SureCast TEMED (30 mL)
1 SureCast Acrylamide Solution, 40%
(450 mL)

SureCast Gel Handcast Bundle B

Savings of up to 18%
Buy now

The Invitrogen SureCast Gel Handcast Bundle B includes all the hardware to get started:

2 SureCast Gel Handcast Stations
2 SureCast Glass Plate Sets (2 front, 2 back)
2 SureCast Sealing Pads (attached to handcast stations)
10 SureCast Gel Spacers
1 10-Well Multi-Use Tool
1 12-Well Multi-Use Tool
1 15-Well Multi-Use Tool
6 Gel Combs (2 each: 10-, 12-, 15-well)

Discover how to use the SureCast Handcast System

Learn how to pour your own gels using the SureCast system with this detailed step by step video.

SureCast Gel Handcast System assembly

Step 1: Set-up

Set the handcast station on a level surface.

Step 2: Assemble

Assemble the glass plates with the silicone spacer between them so that all the outer edges are flush.

Step 3: Secure

Place the glass plate assembly in the handcast station. Hold the glass plate assembly to prevent shifting, and close the handle to secure the glass plates in the handcast station.

Step 4: Pour

Tilt the handcast station to recline on the heel. Add resolving gel solution to the glass plates until the solution reaches the level of the fill line.

Allow the resolving gel to polymerize (5–10 min). Verify polymerization.

Tilt the handcast station to recline on the heel. Add the stacking gel solution until it reaches the upper edge of the front glass plate. Set the handcast station back to the upright position.

Step 5: Finish

Insert the comb slowly by starting at one end and sliding it between the glass plates until both ends are in place. Allow the stacking gel to polymerize (5–10 min). Verify polymerization.

Then, release the clamp and remove plate. The gel is ready for use.

Gel casting recipes with SureCast reagents

Choose the polyacrylamide percentage for your application based upon the expected molecular weight of your protein of interest and the volume of your sample. Resolve large molecules with low percentage gels and small molecules with high percentage gels. If the molecular weight of the molecule is unknown, or the sample contains a wide range of molecules, use a mid-range percentage gel.

Prepare resolving gel solution according to the volumes in the following table. The volumes provided in the table are for a single gel. Scale volumes proportionally based on the number of gels to be cast.

Note: Solutions do not require degassing.

	Polyacrylamide %
Solution	4%	6%	8%	10%	12%	14%	16%	18%	20%
SureCast Acrylamide (40%)	0.8mL	1.2mL	1.6mL	2.0mL	2.4mL	2.8mL	3.3mL	3.6mL	4.0mL
SureCast Resolving Buffer	2.0mL	2.0mL	2.0mL	2.0mL	2.0mL	2.0mL	2.0mL	2.0mL	2.0mL
Distilled water	5.1mL	4.7mL	4.3mL	3.9mL	3.5mL	3.1mL	2.7mL	2.3mL	1.9mL
10% SureCast APS	80µL	80µL	80µL	80µL	80µL	80µL	80µL	80µL	80µL
SureCast TEMED**	8µL	8µL	8µL	8µL	8µL	8µL	8µL	8µL	8µL

**Add this last and mix well just before the gel is to be poured

Prepare stacking gel solution according to the following table. The volumes provided in the table are for a single gel. Scale volumes proportionally based on the number of gels to be cast. Note: Solutions do not require degassing.

Solution	4%
SureCast Acrylamide (40%)	0.30 mL
SureCast Stacking Buffer	0.75 mL
Distilled water	1.92 mL
10% SureCast APS	30 µL
SureCast TEMED***	3 µL

***Add this last and mix well just before the gel is to be poured

SureCast “100% Leak Free” claim is based on internal testing, including, but not limited to 240 gel pours and over 200 stress tests. The SureCast Handcast System and its components are designed and manufactured to be leak free. Leak free is defined as having less than 1.0 mm drop in liquid polyacrylamide gel casting solution before polymerization when all hardware parts and components are in good material condition (all components free from damage or excessive wear) and used according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Only the following components are covered by the SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement: SureCast Handcast Station, SureCast Glass Plates, SureCast Gel Spacers and SureCast Sealing Pads. SureCast reagents are expressly excluded from the SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement.

If a SureCast Handcast System component does not meet the above qualifications, Thermo Fisher Scientific, at its option, will either replace it at no cost or credit your account with the purchase price of the component or system. Thermo Fisher Scientific reserves the right to replace or provide credit for each component individually and is not obliged to replace or provide credit for the entire system. Customer may use such credit to purchase other protein gel electrophoresis products from Thermo Fisher Scientific. REPLACEMENT OR CREDIT OF THE PURCHASE PRICE AS SET FORTH ABOVE IS THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC’S SOLE OBLIGATION AND CUSTOMER'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY WITH RESPECT TO FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO MEET THE “100% LEAK FREE” STATEMENT. Customer must contact Thermo Fisher Scientific Technical Support to submit any claims. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s experienced support team will help customer to identify the issue and replace the component or credit customer’s account as needed.

Any and all claims should be made within 12 months of delivery. Any claims not made by the customer within the applicable period will be forfeited. SureCast component coverage is limited to the original buyer of the product from Thermo Fisher Scientific and is not transferable.

Except for the foregoing SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement, Thermo Fisher Scientific does not make any other guarantee, warranty, or representation with respect to the above system notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any product documentation. The SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement is Thermo Fisher Scientific’s sole and exclusive guarantee with respect to such system and is in lieu of all other guarantees, warranties, or representations. Thermo Fisher Scientific DISCLAIMES ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, GUARANTEES, RESPRESENTIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. AND WE MAKE NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR REGARDING RESULTS OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE, WHETHER ARISING FROM A STATUTE OR OTHERWISE IN LAW OR FROM A COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE, ALL OF WHICH ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED.

The SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement does not cover, and Thermo Fisher Scientific has no obligation replace or provide credit if a component does not meet the SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement because of the customer’s failure to store, maintain or use the product in accordance with recommended protocol for the related system and components; failure to use the product in accordance with good laboratory practices by technically qualified persons; other misuse or neglect, including but not limited to improper storage, maintenance, shipping, or handling, improper or abnormal use, including operation outside of the environmental or use specifications specified by Thermo Fisher Scientific; accidents of any kind or nature; adulteration; unauthorized change or modification; and use with chemicals, reagents or any other product not supplied or authorized in writing by Thermo Fisher Scientific for use with the product, provided that Thermo Fisher Scientific may at its sole discretion honor its SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement used by customer with non-Thermo Fisher Scientific products.

To the fullest extent allowed by law, in no event shall Thermo Fisher Scientific be liable, whether in contract, tort, strict liability, negligence, warranty, or under any statute or any other basis for any special, incidental, indirect, exemplary, punitive, multiple or consequential damages sustained by customer or any other person or entity arising out of or caused by the system or other products, Thermo Fisher Scientific performance or failure to perform its obligations relating to the purchase, possession, or use of the system or performance of services, whether foreseeable and whether or not Thermo Fisher Scientific is advised of the possibility of such damages, including without limitation damages arising from or related to loss or use, loss of data, downtime, procurement of substitute goods or services, or for loss of revenue, profits, goodwill, or business or other financial loss. In addition, Thermo Fisher Scientific maximum aggregate liability arising out of or in connection with the failure of Thermo Fisher Scientific to the SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement is limited to the amount customer paid for the system or component that gives rise to such claim. Some countries or jurisdictions limit the scope of or preclude limitations or exclusion of warranties, of liability, such as liability for gross negligence or willful misconduct, or of remedies or damages, as or to the extent set forth above. In such countries and jurisdictions, the limitation or exclusion of warranties, liability, remedies or damages set forth above shall apply to the fullest extent permitted by law, and shall not apply to the extent prohibited by law. Without limiting the foregoing statement, nothing in this document is intended to or will exclude or limit Thermo Fisher Scientific's liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence or fraud, or any other liability to the extent that the same may not be excluded or limited by applicable law.

Thermo Fisher Scientific reserves the right to add or remove products covered by the SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement, to modify the terms or terminate the SureCast “100% Leak Free” Statement without prior notice to customers.

Specifications