openPFGE: An open source and low cost pulsed-field gel electrophoresis equipment

Abstract

DNA electrophoresis is a fundamental technique in molecular biology that allows the separation of DNA molecules up to similar to 50 Kbp. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE] is a variation of the conventional DNA electrophoresis technique that allows the separation of very large DNA molecules up to similar to 10 Mbp. PFGE equipment is very expensive and it becomes an access barrier to many laboratories. Also, just a few privative designs of the equipment are available and it becomes difficult for the community to improve or customize their functioning. Here, we provide an open source PFGE equipment capable of the separation of DNA molecules up to, at least, similar to 2 Mbp and at low cost: USD$850, about 3% of the price of typical commercial equipment.