Section 3: Trans-Blot ® Turbo™ System Transfer Setup; Transfer Using Transfer Packs - BIO RAD Trans-Blot Turbo Instruction Manual

Section 3: Trans-Blot ® Turbo™ System Transfer Setup
The Turbo protocol, when combined with Trans-Blot transfer packs, provides highly efficient transfer
for a wide variety of proteins. However, run conditions may need to be adjusted for a particular
protein of interest. Protocols optimized for different protein and gel types are available in the Bio-Rad
preprogrammed protocols in LIST mode.
The system may also be used with Trans-Blot Turbo RTA transfer kits, which offer the same transfer
speed and efficiency as the transfer packs, or superior performance to traditional semi-dry blotting
consumables such as extra-thick filter paper and Towbin transfer buffer (speed and efficiency will be
similar to standard semi-dry blotting techniques). Please refer to the Bio-Rad Protein Blotting Guide,
bulletin 2895, for more information on the methods of electrophoretic transfer. The Protein Blotting
Guide can be downloaded from our website, www.bio-rad.com, as a PDF file; or call Technical
Support at 1-800-424-6723 to request bulletin 2895.

3.1 Transfer Using Transfer Packs

Recommendations:
• Wear gloves at all times during the blotting process to prevent contamination of the gels or
membranes
• Transfer gels immediately after electrophoresis without an equilibration step
• The transfer membranes and stacks of the transfer packs are prewetted and do not require any
further pretreatment. Open the transfer packs immediately before use to avoid drying the
membrane
• Use only the appropriate combinations of gels, as shown in Table 1
• If you need to move the membrane, carefully use flat tweezers or forceps
Select the appropriate transfer pack for your application according to Table 2. These packs are stable
for several months at room temperature. However, to extend their shelf life, store them at 4ºC. The
transfer membranes and stacks of the transfer packs are prewetted and do not require any further pre-
treatment (for example, wetting of the PVDF membrane).
Table 2. Transfer pack options.
Gel Size (cm)
For one mini format gel, 7.0 x 8.5
For one midi format gel or two mini
format gels, 13.5 x 8.5
Trans-Blot ® Turbo™ Blotting System
6
Catalog Numbers with 0.2 µm
Nitrocellulose Membrane
170-4158
170-4159
Catalog Number with 0.2 µm
PVDF Membrane
170-4156
170-4157