Electrophorectic apparatus for elution from preparative gels

Abstract

A multiple cell electrophoresis elution device is disclosed. Gels are fractionated to locate, by scanning, the component of interest and the gel is sliced to isolate this band. In one embodiment, it is then placed in one compartment of the elution device and recast in place using a dilute gel. This recasting mechanically holds the gel and acts as a separating barrier from one buffer compartment to another. The gel casting procedure prevents both dilution of the eluted fractions by mixing due to mechanical or convective influences as well as insuring that the current must pass through the gel and not around it in the more conductive free buffer. In another embodiment, the cut gel is covered with an element to occupy the remaining volume of the gel compartment and compress the gel. The device employs a series of compartments joined to a single set of electrodes such that a number of distinct separate fractions may be eluted simultaneously. Also, various operating parameters can be varied from the electrophorectic separation to yield more pure elutes. The membranes used to separate the cells are affixed using a wax paper and grease seal which effectively prevents leakage.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.