Yep, definitely something there...
I (very rarely!) do the same, by misorienting the plates... the action
of the gel certainly plays with the molecules, because ABI recommend that
on receipt of new plates, a gel is poured to 'side' them... this should
always be maintained.
The m'na-m'na (sorry, phenomenon..) of 'that bit around the seal area'
is based on the same thing.. Probably all very quantum..
As an afterthought: if you DO happen to pour the gel with the plates
'inside-out', this is a very good way to get rid of any mucky build-up on
the 'outer' sides, as the gel/moleculey thing seems to act as a loosener
for it - quick soak in mild detergent, and cleaner plates abound..
