Abstract: Disclosed is a two-dimensional separation system, comprising a liquid chromatography column having an outlet port; a capillary electrophoresis capillary having an inlet end and an outlet end; buffer supply means for supplying buffer to the capillary; and valve means connecting the capillary inlet end to the chromatography column outlet port and to the buffer supply means, the valve means switchable between a first configuration providing fluid to the capillary inlet end from the buffer supply means and a second configuration providing fluid to the capillary inlet end from the chromatography column. Methods of carrying out two-dimensional separations employing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for effecting an electrophoretic separation of charged particles. A fractionation chamber comprising a semipermeable membrane is used wherein a transmembrane force holds the particles to be separated against the membrane surface while a voltage gradient is applied to separate the particles.

Abstract: A technique for separating, identifying and measuring ions in solution by capillary zone electrophoresis is described, which provides improved sensitivity and resolution of anionic and cationic species. The method involves introducing a sample containing the ionic species into a narrow core capillary filled with a carrier electrolyte containing a selected light-absorbing anion or cation to an electrical current in a capillary column causing the ions to elute according to their ionic mobility. Both UV absorbing and UV-transparent ions can be detected and quantitated by UV/Visible photometric monitoring.

Abstract: Electrical and electrochemical end-column detectors are provided in which the sensing microelectrode is placed at the outlet of the separation capillary. The novel design minimizes the electrical interference caused by the applied high voltage during CZE separations, and provides for detectors that are easy to construct, sensitive, reliable, and easy to operate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the electrodeposition of microorganisms on an electrode using a weak, direct current voltage. The electrodeposition of the microorganisms occurs within a relatively short period of time thereby reducing the requirement for culturing the microorganisms. The electrode can be used as an electrode for a Curie point pyrolysis mass spectrometer to determine the specific microorganism electrodeposited on the electrode.

Abstract: A sample is injected into a capillary tube of a capillary electrophoresis apparatus. A sample solute on a porous layer is positioned in contact with an entrance end of the capillary tube and electrodes are positioned at the entrance end and exit end of the tube. The separated sample is collected at the exit end of the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conducting electrophoresis in a capillary tube under the influence of a pulsed electric field. Apparatus for separating and detecting molecular species of a sample in a conductive medium includes a capillary tube for containing conductive medium, means for introducing a sample into a conductive medium-filled capillary tube, means for applying a pulsed electric field across the conductive medium-filled capillary tube between its ends, and means for detecting constituent molecular species of a sample in a conductive medium-filled capillary tube as they traverse the tube. A method for separating and detecting molecular species of a sample in a conductive medium includes the steps of introducing the sample into a capillary tube filled with conductive medium, applying a pulsed electric field of up to 500 volts/centimeter between the ends of the capillary, and detecting the constituent molecular species of the sample as they traverse the capillary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a free flow electrophoresis method between two ion permeable membranes comprising applying an electric field perpendicular to the primary carrier flow, applying a secondary carrier flow perpendicular to both the primary buffer flow and the electric field, simultaneously reversing the direction of the field and secondary carrier flow, and repeating the previous step until effective separation occurs.

Abstract: An electrode structure is provided for feeding a solute sample to a capillary electrophoresis separation process. The apparatus comprises a conductive plate connected to an electrical lead and an absorbent layer wet with an electrolyte solution and positioned on the plate. A membrane containing a sample is positioned on the absorbent layer in contact with an entrance end of a capillary tube forming part of the separation process. The sample is fed to the entrance part by electromigration and/or electrosmosis under the influence of an electric field induced by an electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for conducting affinity electrophoresis and for characterizing, identifying, selecting, separating and/or isolating molecules based upon affinity. Acceptor molecules are dispersed in discrete lanes within a gel and test molecules are electrophoresed simultaneously through the lanes. Therapeutics may be screened, heterogeneous mixes may be separated and affinity equilibrium constants determined. Special combs and casting trays for forming gels also are provided, as well as the gels formed thereby. An electrophoresis box also is provided.

Abstract: Multiple electropherograms or chromatograms representing successive stages of an electrophoretic or chromatographic separation in a capillary are obtained by training a recorder on a succession of detection windows in the capillary, spaced apart along the capillary length. A single immovable detector is used, and the capillary is either held such that each detection window is placed in alignment with the detector in succession, or is looped such that the detection windows all lie in the path of the detector at the same time.

Abstract: A support frame with multiple water jets, together with a support grid and carrier frame, is described. Methods for their construction from commonly available components, and methods for their use in a laboratory setting, are provided. This device semi-automates, and improves the quality and reliability of, an otherwise difficult and stressful step in DNA sequencing technology, namely the transfer of a thin and fragile gel from a glass plate to a sheet of filter paper for subsequent drying under vacuum.

Abstract: A superconducting film of HoBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x on a substrate is tained from a mixture containing stoichiometric amounts of Ho.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO powders by a method including the steps of(A) processing the powder mixture to an average particle size of about 2 to 3 .mu.m,(B) adding about three grams of the powder to about 25 cc of an organic dispersant,(C) depositing the powder in the organic dispersant on the substrate by electrophoresis in electric fields of about 100 to about 1000 volts/cm for about 3 to about 15 minutes to obtain superconducting films having a thickness of about 5 to about 25 .mu.m; and(D) sintering and annealing in oxygen.

Abstract: Ampholytic solute zones which have been stabilized by isoelectrical focusing in a separation medium such as a capillary are mobilized by the introduction of a relatively large quantity of zwitterion to one of the electrode chambers. When a voltage is then applied between the electrode chambers as in the focusing stage, the zwitterion migrates into the separation medium in accordance with the isoelectric point of the zwitterion. The voltage is maintained to caused continuous migration of the zwitterion into the capillary, thereby forming an expanding zone which displaces the focused zones formed in the focusing stage and causes them to travel axially through the capillary toward a detection point or out of the capillary for purposes of recovery.

Abstract: An electrolytic furnace comprises refractory concrete elements (1) which are loosely mounted on rails (6) arranged in a tank (6) and which support carbon elements (2) and metal bars (3). The refractory concrete elements (1) on the one hand and the carbon elements (2) and the metal bars on the other are assembled by the action of compression springs (7 and 8) which press against floating plates (12) held laterally by adjustable screws (10) mounted at the threaded ends of rods (9).

Abstract: A fluid circulation apparatus for an electrophoresis device is disclosed. The fluid circulation device has an electrode gas retaining means communicating with the two reservoirs of the electrophoresis device. The electrode gas retaining means is disposed to trap electrode produced gas at a level below the fluid level in the remainder of the electrophoresis device so that fluid in the electrode gas retaining means has a pressure head greater than the pressure at the fluid level in the remainder of the electrophoresis device. The resulting fluid pressure differential causes the fluid flow between the two reservoirs of the electrophoresis device through the electrode gas retaining means.

Abstract: A carbohydrate structure, possibly in the form of or derived from a glycoprotein or glycolipide, is analyzed by decomposing the structure into various constituent fragments, separating the fragments and viewing light from the separated fragments using a charge coupled device (CCD). Carbohydrate units can be distinguished or separated by gel electrophoresis, e.g. using a relatively dense polyacrylamide gel run using a stacking buffer system. The two aspects can be used separately or in combination.

Abstract: In an electrophoresis system, a specimen is analyzed on the basis of a division image obtained by applying the specimen on a substrate and causing an electrophoresis phenomenon to occur. The electrophoresis system comprises a refractometer for measuring the total protein amount of said specimen, a mechanism for applying the specimen onto the head surface of the refractometer, a mechanism for cleaning the head surface of the refractometer, and memory and processing sections for storing the measured data and performing the arithmetic processing with the data obtained on the basis of the division image.

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 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. 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.

Abstract: A technique for separating, identifying and measuring ions in solution by capillary zone electrophoresis is described, which provides improved sensitivity and resolution of anionic species. The method involves subjecting a sample containing the ionic species a light-absorbing material and a quaternary ammonium salt to an electrical current in a capillary column causing the ions to elute according to their ionic mobility. The ionic species are detected and quantitated by UV/Visible photometric monitoring.