Abstract: Data acquisition and cataloging are used to classify polypeptides into a reference index or database. The database can be used to identify previously unidentified samples. New polypeptides are characterized and added to the database.

Abstract: A method for separating microorganisms, especially infectious agents, from a mixture by two dimensional centrifugation on the basis of sedimentation rate and isopycnic banding density, for sedimenting such microorganisms through zones of immobilized reagents to which they are resistant, for detecting banded particles by light scatter or fluorescence using nucleic acid specific dyes, and for recovering the banded particles in very small volumes for characterization by mass spectrometry of viral protein subunits and intact viral particles, and by fluorescence flow cytometric determination of both nucleic acid mass and the masses of fragments produced by restriction enzymes. The method is based on the discovery that individual microorganisms, such as bacterial and viral species, are each physically relatively homogeneous, and are distinguishable in their biophysical properties from other biological particles, and from non-biological particles found in nature.

Abstract: An automated, computer controlled assembly is provided for continuously processing a large number of electrophoresis gels. The assembly includes a loading assembly for loading a gel onto a carrier, a gel staining assembly and a scanning and cutting assembly. The staining assembly and the scanning and cutting assembly each include a robotic arm that is able to capture a gel and transfer the gel to selected work stations and can transfer the gel between the respective robotic arms.

Abstract: Protein markers of toxicity and efficacy for antilipemic drugs are determined. Methods and reagents are disclosed for determining whether a patient receiving an antilipemic drug, especially a statin or HMGCoA reductase inhibiting drug, is experiencing drug efficacy and/or toxicity. Individual susceptibility is also determined prior to treatment. Also, drug discovery of similar acting candidates and their likelihood of being toxic or effective is determined by analysis of all proteins in a sample simultaneously by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: Highly hydrophobic compounds and hydrophobic proteins are solubilized in a non-aqueous solvent containing an electrolyte for electrophoretic separation. The non-aqueous solvent is an ionic liquid or a mixture of an organic solvent containing an ionic liquid in an amount to render the solvent electrically conductive and amenable for electrophoretic separation. The hydrophobic proteins are separated by electrophoresis using an electrophoresis gel that is compatible with the organic solvent and ionic liquid.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for simultaneously measuring the concentration of numerous proteins in a sample are described. The technique uses many antibody display phages that contain corresponding specific nucleic acid sequence tags. Binding between various proteins and antibodies is determined by simultaneous detection of the specific sequence tags using a microarray. This method is applicable even when the concentrations of different proteins differ by orders of magnitude as the nucleic acid sequence tags may be amplified.

Abstract: Highly hydrophobic compounds and hydrophobic proteins are solubilized in a non-aqueous solvent containing an electrolyte for electrophoretic separation. The non-aqueous solvent is an ionic liquid or a mixture of an organic solvent containing an ionic liquid in an amount to render the solvent electrically conductive and amenable for electrophoretic separation. The hydrophobic proteins are separated by electrophoresis using an electrophoresis gel that is compatible with the organic solvent and ionic liquid.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for rapid purification and/or identification of particles in a liquid sample are described. The technique uses centrifugation to concentrate particles against a slanted surface having an agent specifically binding to the particles. This method is applicable for the rapid identification of viruses and other difficult or impossible to culture microorganisms without replication or amplification of the microorganism.

Abstract: An automated, computer controlled assembly is provided for continuously processing a large number of electrophoresis gels. The assembly includes a loading assembly for loading a gel onto a carrier, a gel staining assembly and a scanning and cutting assembly. The staining assembly and the scanning and cutting assembly each include a robotic arm that is able to capture a gel and transfer the gel to selected work stations and can transfer the gel between the respective robotic arms.

Abstract: Data acquisition and cataloging are used to classify polypeptides into a reference index or database. The database can be used to identify previously unidentified samples. New polypeptides are characterized and added to the database.

Abstract: A method for separating microorganisms, especially infectious agents, from a mixture by two dimensional centrifugation on the basis of sedimentation rate and isopycnic banding density, for sedimenting such microorganisms through zones of immobilized reagents to which they are resistant, for detecting banded particles by light scatter or fluorescence using nucleic acid specific dyes, and for recovering the banded particles in very small volumes for characterization by mass spectrometry of viral protein subunits and intact viral particles, and by fluorescence flow cytometric determination of both nucleic acid mass and the masses of fragments produced by restriction enzymes. The method is based on the discovery that individual microorganisms, such as bacterial and viral species, are each physically relatively homogeneous, and are distinguishable in their biophysical properties from other biological particles, and from non-biological particles found in nature.

Abstract: The microarrays of the present invention are prepared by using a separate fiber for each compound being used in the microarray. The fibers are bundled and sectioned to form a thin microarray that is glued to a backing.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry apparatus uses image processing of output signals of a camera in a mass spectrometer to provide feedback for directing the laser. The present invention provides for the determination of where samples have actually been deposited on a plate, and for the selection of different points for each sample, based on its structure, at which to aim a laser, during the cycle period of the mass spectrometer. Such feedback information increases the likelihood that the laser impinges samples and provides useful data.

Abstract: A mass spectrometry apparatus uses image processing of output signals of a camera in a mass spectrometer to provide feedback for directing the laser. The present invention provides for the determination of where samples have actually been deposited on a plate, and for the selection of different points for each sample, based on its structure, at which to aim a laser, during the cycle period of the mass spectrometer. Such feedback information increases the likelihood that the laser impinges samples and provides useful data.

Abstract: An apparatus for expressing and unloading an isoelectric focusing gel from an electrophoresis gel tube includes a first support for supporting the gel tube, a plunger rod and a second support for supporting the plunger rod. The first support is mounted on a movable carriage and is moved toward the second support so that the gel tube slides onto the plunger rod to unload the gel from the gel tube. A plurality of gel tubes can be mounted in a rack and the rack coupled to the first support. The first support preferably includes a plurality of openings oriented with the gel tubes for guiding a respective plunger rod through the axial passage of the gel tubes. In preferred embodiments, the second support supporting the plunger rods is substantially stationary while the first support moves toward the second support so that the gel tubes slide onto the plunger rods.

Abstract: An automated pipetting apparatus and method for forming sample spots on a support include a pipette. A robotic assembly moves a sample container, such as a multiwell microtiter plate, and the support to the pipette for receiving and dispensing liquid samples. The pipette draws a predetermined volume of the liquid sample from the sample container into the axial passage of the pipette and forms a pocket of a gaseous material above and forms a barrier material below the volume of the liquid sample. The liquid sample is drawn into the pipette a distance sufficient to form a space between the liquid sample and the outlet of the pipette and to contain the liquid sample completely within the pipette.

Abstract: The microarrays of the present invention are prepared by using a separate fiber for each compound being used in the microarray. The fibers are bundled and sectioned to form a thin microarray that is glued to a backing.

Abstract: Ways for reproducibly making liquid gradients with a high degree of precision are provided. Different regions in the gradient are preformed by premixing liquids usable for other components of the gradient to form an intermediate gradient component that is then added to the vessel. The system is particularly adapted for making non-linear and multiple overlapping different gradients in the same liquid in the same vessel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which relates to the placement of binding partners on microarrays, where such binding partners contain proteins, nucleic acids, biological cells and other bio-reactive components. The present invention discloses uses and methods for manufacture of microarrays constructed in part by sectioning bundles of tubules or rods containing matrix immobilized bio-reactive molecules to produce large numbers of sample chips. The chips so produced are processed by deposition to microarrays. The deposited chips can then be manipulated to partition the immobilizing matrix away from the bio-reactive molecules contained in the matrix and to place said partitioned molecules onto various surfaces for subsequent analysis, to include binding assays, hybridization reactions, diagnostic methods and a variety of cell interaction-determining methodologies.

Abstract: An automated high-throughput system for excising spots or samples from an electrophoresis slab gel includes a computer controlled robotic arm assembly and a sample plate handling assembly for supplying a sample plate to a loading station. The computer is connected to a scanner and imaging device to identify selected sample locations on the slab gel and to direct the robotic arm to the selected locations for excising the gel spots. The cutting assembly includes a removable tray for supporting the slab gel during the cutting process and is coupled to the automated sample plate handling assembly. The sample plate handling assembly delivers a multiwell plate to the cutting assembly for receiving the gel spots. The removable tray cooperates with a scanner for identifying protein spots and includes a positioning device to position the tray in the scanner and the cutting assembly in selected locations to coordinate the scanned image with the cutting process.