title: Blotting with plate electrodes.
abstract: Since its introduction by Towbin et al. (1), electro-blotting has become one of the most valuable analytical procedures in protein research. Conventionally, the gel and the immobilizing matrix are sandwiched between porous pads and inserted between two electrodes in a buffer tank. Electrodes of platinum wire are mounted in such a way that, with a minimum amount of material, they still generate a uniform electrical field in the center of the buffer chamber, with the minimum amount of material. On the other hand, transfer efficiency is largely dependent of the voltage gradient between the two electrodes. High voltages generate high currents and high temperatures, whereas reducing the distance between wire electrodes seriously disturbs the electrical field (2). Plate electrodes yield essentially homogeneous electrical fields, even when they are moved close together. Vaessen et al. (3) were the first to experiment with plate electrodes. Kyhse-Andersen (4) introduced horizontal semidry blotting in which the transfer takes place in a stack of buffer-saturated filter papers, inserted between two graphite plates.
authors.affiliation: St. Raphael, Laboratory of Hematology, University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peferoen