Chamber-forming electrophoresis cassette cover

1. An assemnly for contacting at least one gel with a fluid, comprising:

a electrophoresis cassette comprising a plurality of channels open to a first face of the cassette; and

a cover comprising:

a cassette-contacting member,

a least one chamber-defining member, and

sealing means;

wherein said cassette-contacting member comprises a first face and a second face,

wherein said first face of said cassette-contacting member is in surface continuity with a first face of each said chamber-defining member, the continuous surface defining a first face of said cover, said first face of said cover being a cassette-proximal face of said cover;

wherein said first face of said cassette-contacting; member is in sealing engagement with the first face of the electrophoresis cassette;

wherein said second face of said cassette-contacting member is in surface continuity with a second face of each said chamber-defining member, the continuous surface defining a second face of said cover, said second face of said cover being a cassette-distal face of said cover;

wherein said cassette-contacting member is disposed circumferentially around each said chamber defining member at a first elevation of said cover;

wherein said sealing means is disposed circumferentially around each said chamber-defining member on said first face of said cassette-contacting member and in contact with said first face of said electrophoresis cassette; and

wherein each said chamber-defining member elevates said cover first face in the direction of said cover second face from said first cover elevation to at least a second cover elevation.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cover has a single chamber-defining member.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cover has a plurality of chamber-defining members.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein said cover has six chamber-defining members.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein each said chamber-defining member has at least one fluid port, said fluid port boring through both said first and second cover faces.

6. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein each said chamber-defining member has a single fluid port.

7. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein each said chamber-defining member has a plurality of fluid ports.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein each said chamber-defining member has two fluid ports.

9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cassette-contacting member is integral to each said chamber-defining member.

10. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein said cover is molded from a single part.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein said single part is plastic.

12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein said plastic is a thermoformable plastic.

13. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein said thermoformable plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinylchlorides.

14. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein said plastic is injection moldable.

15. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein said plastic is selected from the group consisting of: polycarbonate, polystyrene, acrylic, ABS, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyethylene and plasticized alloys of each.

16. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said sealing means includes an adhesive layer.

17. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein said adhesive layer includes an acrylic adhesive.

18. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein said adhesive layer includes a rubber adhesive.

19. The assembly of claim 17 , wherein said acrylic adhesive is disposed on both sides of a polyethylene or polyvinylchloride tape.

20. A method of contacting a gel immobilized within or upon a cassette to a fluid volume, the method comprising:

assembling a cover having at least one fluid retaining chamber on a first face of an electrophoresis cassette that comprises a plurality of channels, said first cassette face being in fluid communication with at least one gel residing in at least one of said channels; and then

introducing a fluid into said chamber,

wherein said cover comprises a cassette-contacting member, at least one chamber-defining member, and sealing means;

wherein said cassette-contacting member comprises a first face and a second face,

wherein said first face of said cassette-contacting member is in surface continuity with a first face or each said chamber-defining member, the continuous surface defining a first face of said cover, said first face of said cover being a cassette-proximal face of said cover;

wherein said first face of said cassette-contacting member is configured to contact the first face of the electrophoresis cassette at a first elevation of said cover;

wherein a second face of said cassette-contacting member is in surface continuity with a second face of each said chamber-defining member, the continuous surface defining a second face of said cover, said second face of said cover being a cassette-distal face of said cover;

wherein said cassette-contacting member is disposed circumferentially around each said chamber-defining member at said first elevation of said cover;

wherein said sealing means is disposed circumferentially around each said chamber-defining member on said cassette-contacting member first face; and

wherein each said chamber-defining member elevates said cover first face in the direction of said cover second face from said first cover elevation to at least a second cover elevation.

21. The method of claim 20 , further comprises the antecedent step of bringing said gel into fluid communication with a first face of said cassette.

22. The method of claim 20 , wherein said gel is part of an immobilized pH gradient strip.

23. A disposable cover for assembling at least one fluid retaining chamber on a first face of an electrophoresis cassettes comprising:

a cassette-contacting member; and

at least one chamber-defining member;

wherein said cassette-contacting member comprises a firs face and a second face,

wherein said first face of said cassette-contacting member is in surface continuity with a first face of each said chamber-defining member, the continuous surface defining a first face of said cover, said first face of said cover being a cassette-proximal face at said cover;

wherein said second face of said cassette-contacting member is in surface continuity with a second fade of each said chambers defining member, the continuous surface defining a second face of said cover, said second face of said cover being a cassette-distal face of said cover;

wherein said first face of said cassette-contacting member is configured to contact the first face of the electrophoresis cassette;

wherein said cassette-contacting member is disposed circumferentially around each said chamber-defining member at a first elevation of said cover;

wherein an adhesive layer is disposed circumferentially around each said chamber-defining member on said first face of said cassette-contacting member, said adhesive layer covered by a removable adhesive liner; and

wherein each said chamber-defining member elevates said cover first face in the direction of said cover second face from said first cover elevation to at least a second cover elevation.

24. The cover of claim 23 , wherein each said chamber-defining member has at least one fluid port, said fluid port boring through both said first and second cover faces.

25. The cover of claim 23 , wherein said cover is plastic.

26. A kit, the kit comprising:

at least one cover according to claim 23 ; and

at least one electrophoresis cassette.

27. The kit of claim 26 , wherein the electrophoresis cassette comprises:

means for hydratingly lodging a prior-cast electrophoretic separation medium within an assembled enclosing member; and

means for spaced electrical communication with said enclosed medium, wherein

said spaced electrical communication means can be used to establish a voltage gradient in said enclosed separation medium sufficient to effect electrophoretic separation of analytes therein, and

said assembled enclosing member permits insertion therein of the prior-cast hydra table electrophoretic separation medium in its dehydrated state.

28. The kit of claim 26 , further comprising one or more fluid solutions.

29. The kit of claim 26 , further comprising at least one prior-cast separation medium.

30. The kit of claim 29 , wherein said prior-cast separation medium is an IPG strip.

31. The kit of claim 27 , further comprising at least one fluid solution.