Automated zone electrophoresis--experiments and new concepts.
I have investigated various modalities of automation of zone electrophoresis. One system has already been previously described (U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,021). Other systems investigated can be divided into batch systems and one random-access system; the former involve separation on cellulose acetate that is supported on 0.127 mm thick polyester (Mylar) film in the form of tape, cards, or discs. Systems in which the separation is in a direction transverse to the long axis of the tape use a typical tape width of 7.5 cm; systems in which separation is longitudinal make use of supports of various widths, depending upon the assay rate desired. Concepts were also developed for a random-access systems for automated electrophoresis, which requires no start-up time. Small Lucite cassettes are used, one for each sample. Each cassette has one surface of either cellulose acetate or any of several gels used for electrophoretic separation. There are further small wells for sample and calibrator. The loaded cassette is inserted into an input queue that allows serial processing. The cassettes move sequentially through prewetting (if needed), sample application, electrophoretic separation, staining, and scanning. This system should also be suitable for automated isoelectric focusing.
D001331:Automation; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006441:Hemoglobin A / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006444:Hemoglobin C / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans
D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D006444:Hemoglobin C; D006441:Hemoglobin A