Microfluidic apparatus for performing gel protein extractions and methods for using the apparatus

A method of transferring one or more proteins from a gel, comprising:

• a) contacting a first end of one or more fluidic channels containing an electrolyte solution to one or more locations in a gel containing one or more proteins, wherein:
• 1) the gel is disposed within an apparatus housing overlaid with an apparatus cover and the housing has disposed therein an electrolyte solution and has attached thereto a ground electrode;
• 2) the one or more fluidic channels have a first end and a second end;
• 3) the first end of the one or more fluidic channels is disposed through the apparatus cover and is secured in position at or near a gel interface;
• b) disposing the second end of the one or more fluidic channels in one or more outlet reservoirs, wherein:
• 1) the one or more outlet reservoirs have disposed therein an electrolyte solution and a first end of an outlet electrode;
• and
• 2) a high voltage power supply is attached to the outlet electrode;
• c) applying a high electric field along the length of the one or more fluidic channels, thereby extracting the one or more proteins from the gel and into the first end of the one or more fluidic channels;
• d) concentrating the one or more proteins near the first end of the one or more fluidic channels by electrophoretic stacking, and
• e) transferring the one or more proteins from the first end of the one or more fluidic channels toward the second end of the one or more fluidic channels.