US 5,275,710 AGranted

Gel electrophoresis system including optical stage, sample applicator and sample retriever

AssigneeLabintelligence, Inc.

InventorsErich A. Gombocz, Alex T. Roth

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Abstract

An electrophoretic system is provided which allows for carrying out electrophoresis while monitoring and regulating the temperature and the electrical field gradient in the gel. In addition, photometric monitoring, including use of an optical stage, is provided so as to monitor the progress of the electrophoretic separation and vary conditions to change the progress as desired. A computer is employed which receives the signals from the electrophoretic and photometric apparatuses and regulates temperature and voltage to either maintain conditions, or change the conditions to vary the progress of the electrophoresis and to store the separation results. A sample applicator and a sample retriever are also provided, to provide even and consistent application of sample to the gel and to allow recovery of portions of the sample without destroying or removing pieces from the gel. Gel molds are provided for forming the lanes in a gel plate, as well as a light module, for reading the bands present in the gel lanes with the photometer.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A gel electrophoresis system for separating components of a mixture by their physical and chemical characteristics by passage through a gel under a voltage gradient, said system comprising:

a. a housing comprising a gel electrophoresis module, and electrical circuitry for external connection, sample applicator and retrieval means, and a gel plate;
b. said gel electrophoresis module comprising a temperature control platform, a removable optical stage reflective for light in the ultraviolet range and transparent for light in the visible range, supported by said platform, buffer wells on opposite sides of said platform, power electrodes for creating a voltage gradient in said gel, and sensing electrodes for reading the voltage gradient for feedback to the power electrodes;
c. a gel plate for mounting on said platform and supporting a gel, said plate comprising aligned orifices proximal to opposite ends of a horizontal gel support, and first and second vertical support means for extending into said buffer wells and comprising channels communicating with said orifices, a separation gel on said horizontal support and a stacking gel in said channels of said first vertical support, wherein said stacking gel and said separation gel abut at said orifices or on said horizontal gel support in the direction of migration;
d. a sample applicator assembly for application of sample to said gel, said applicator assembly comprising a housing having at least one passageway, with an upper opening for receiving liquid sample and a lower opening covered with an absorbent material for absorbing said sample and delivering said sample to said gel;
and
e. a sample retriever assembly for removing portions of sample from said gel after at least partial separation, said retriever assembly comprising a housing having at least one passageway for receiving an electrically conductive medium, with an upper opening for withdrawing sample and a lower opening covered with an absorbent material to contact said gel over said portion, said electrically conductive medium in said passageway for electrical contact with said absorbent material;
and an electrode positioned for contact with said medium.

4 more elements

A method for applying, separating, retrieving and reapplying a component of a sample from a gel, said method comprising;

a. applying sample to be electrophoresed to a gel by means of a sample applicator, comprising a container which includes said sample and an absorbent wick in contact with said sample for contacting said gel, said applying comprising contacting said gel with said wick at a sample receiving site under the influence of an electrical field in said gel;
b. applying current across said gel between first and second electrodes such that components of said sample migrate at different rates through said gel;
c. identifying at least one individual component in said gel;
d. applying an absorbent wick to said gel at said identified component, wherein said wick is in electrical communication with a retrieval electrode through an electrically conducting medium and covers only a small area including said component;
e. passing a current through said retrieval electrode and an electrode in electrical communication with said gel and on the opposite side of said component from said retrieval electrode,
whereby said component migrates from said gel into said electrically conducting medium and is available for reapplication to a gel.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/837,067Filed 14 Feb 1992 · continuation in part
Priority: 14 May 1990
Granted: 4 Jan 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G01N 27/44704
Using electrophoresis: details; Accessories
G01N 27/44721
Arrangements for investigating the separated zones, e.g. localising zones: by optical means
G01N 27/44782
Apparatus specially adapted therefor: of a plurality of samples
G01N
Investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties

Family

Serial522,325Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 May 1990
Serial772,947Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 8 Oct 1991
US 5,104,512 AParent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 Apr 1992
US 5,275,710 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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