Abstract: A liquid composition for adherence to a bodily surface, notably to a bodily surface, especially a mucosal surface, comprises water-swellable polymer particles suspended in a water-miscible liquid diluent, wherein the liquid diluent is substantially free of water or includes an amount of water insufficient to fully swell the polymer particles. On admixture with water the composition thickens and becomes more adherent to surfaces. Thus the composition may be easy to administer but may become thick and adherent at the treatment site.

Abstract: A composition comprises water, a first anionic polymer and a second anionic polymer. The first anionic polymer may be xanthan. The second anionic polymer may be selected from an alginate, a carboxymethylcellulose, an acrylate polymer, a carrageenan and a pectin. The composition is such that diluting it with water increases its viscosity.

Abstract: The separation of substances by membrane electrophoresis using the principle of isoelectric focussing is improved by the use of membranes of known isoelectric point and having buffering capacity. When such membranes are arranged in series of increasing isoelectric point from the anode (+) to the cathode (-) in a pH gradient of increasing pH in the same direction, and each membrane is located between electrolyte zones having pHs respectively lower and higher than its isoelectric point, the tendency for electro-endosmosis to occur during electrophoresis is substantially reduced.Methods for chemical treatment of agarose and other gel membranes to introduce acidic and basic groups so as to confer buffering power at the isoelectric point are described. These include the attachment of ampholytes to the gel by intermediate chemical linkages.