title: Protein separation by continuous-flow electrophoresis in microgravity.
abstract: During the IML-2 space shuttle mission, the RAMSES instrument was operated in the Spacelab module. This continuous-flow electrophoresis device performs separation and purification of protein solutions on a preparative scale. Samples containing artificial mixtures of pure proteins were used to test the capabilities of the device, and useful separations were obtained for proteins having a mobility difference of only 3 x 10(-9) m2 V-1 s-1. Operating conditions that cannot be applied on earth were explored for two different sample concentrations, one of which is too high to allow treatment on earth. It agrees well with a previously published numerical model in that the main cause of loss in resolution in this process is the electrohydrodynamic spreading of the protein filaments.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Genie Chimique, Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Clifton
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roux-de Balmann
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D018481:Convection; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D007768:Lactalbumin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013026:Space Flight; D018531:Spacecraft / Q000295:instrumentation; D014893:Weightlessness
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D007768:Lactalbumin