The invention provides an electroblotting system for blotting gels, in which the system includes an electroblotting transfer stack that comprises an analysis gel and a blotting membrane, an anode, an ion source juxtaposed with the anode between the anode and the transfer stack, a cathode, and another ion source juxtaposed with the cathode between the cathode and the transfer stack, in which the each ion source is sufficient for electrophoretic transfer. The anode, the cathode, or both can be separate from a power supply and provided as part of a disposable electrode assembly that also includes a body of gel matrix that includes ions for electrophoretic transfer.