Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanogel comprising a polymer network of repetitive, crosslinked, ethylenically unsaturated monomers of Formula I: (X)m-(Y)n-(Z)o??Formula I wherein X is a water-soluble monomer containing ionic or hydrogen bonding moieties; Y is a water-soluble macromonomer containing repetitive hydrophilic units bound to a polymerizeable ethylenically unsaturated group; Z is a multifunctional crosslinking monomer; m ranges from 50-90 mol %; n ranges from 2-30 mol %; and o range from 1-15 mol % and a method for preparing a nanogel comprising preparing a header composition of a mixture of monomers X, Y, and Z, and a first portion of initiators in water; preparing a reactor composition of a second portion initiators, surfactant, and water; bringing the reactor composition to the polymerization temperature; holding the reactor composition at the polymerization temperature, and adding the header composition to the reactor composition to form a nanogel of Formula I.

Abstract: End Labelled Free Solution Electrophoresis (ELFSE) provides a means of separating polymer molecules such as ssDNA according to their size, via free solution electrophoresis, thus eliminating the need for polymer separation via gels or polymer matrices. Here, end labels are provided that optimize branching architecture to increase hydrodynamic drag of the end label, and improve separation of polymer molecules by ELFSE.

Abstract: End Labelled Free Solution Electrophoresis (ELFSE) provides a means of separating polymer molecules such as ssDNA according to their size, via free solution electrophoresis, thus eliminating the need for polymer separation via gels or polymer matrices. Here, significant improvements in ELFSE are disclosed via concurrent exposure of the polymer molecules to an electroosmotic flow. When the methods are applied to DNA sequencing by ELFSE, significant improvements in read length are observed.

Abstract: Recently two techniques using free solution electrophoresis to separate charged-uncharged polymer conjugates have proven successful: End Labeled Free Solution Electrophoresis (ELFSE) for DNA sequencing, and Free Solution Conjugate Electrophoresis (FSCE) for molar mass profiling of uncharged polymers. Previous attempts have been made to analyze experimental data generated by these new techniques for the electrophoresis of molecules with varying charge distributions. However, the importance of the ends of the polymers in determining the polymer's overall mobility was neglected in previous work. Through a careful investigation and a reanalysis of the experimental data, it is determined here that this “end effect” critically impacts the behavior of polymers and charged-uncharged polymer conjugates during electrophoresis.

Abstract: A control material for monitoring performance of a particle size analyzer has a population of small particles on the order of 1 ?m and a population of larger particles on the order of 15 ?m suspended in deionized water containing a surfactant and a biocide. Performance is monitored by delivering an ampoule of check material to the analyzer and detecting the ratio of particle size peaks.

Abstract: An electrophoretic method for purifying a nucleic acid sample is disclosed. According to the method, the electrophoresis is effective to substantially reduce the concentration of contaminants relative to the concentration of desired nucleic acid in the nucleic acid sample, thereby producing a purified nucleic acid. In the method, the loading and recovery wells may be the same or different, and the electric fields may be DC or alternating.

Abstract: An electrophoretic method for purifying a nucleic acid sample is disclosed. The method generally comprises the steps of (1) providing a nucleic acid sample comprising a desired nucleic acid and one or more contaminants, (2) providing an electrophoresis matrix having a loading well and a recovery well formed therein, (3) placing the nucleic acid sample into the loading well, (4) performing a first electrophoresis comprising electrophoresing the nucleic acid sample for a first time effective to transport the desired nucleic acid out of the loading well and into the electrophoresis matrix; and (5) performing a second electrophoresis comprising electrophoresing the nucleic acid sample for a second time effective to transport the desired nucleic acid out of the electrophoresis matrix and into the recovery well.

Abstract: A process for the electrophoretic separation of charged macromolecules includes applying to the macromolecules a periodic sequence of pulses. Each period comprises a multiplicity of electric field pulses of negative and positive polarities. The negative polarity pulses are applied for a longer total time duration than the positive polarity pulses within each period. The average intensity of the negative polarity pulses is less than the average intensity of the positive polarity pulses.

Abstract: A process for the electrophoretic separation of charged macromolecules includes applying to the macromolecules a periodic sequence of pulses. Each period comprises a multiplicity of electric field pulses of negative and positive polarities. The negative polarity pulses are applied for a longer total time duration than the positive polarity pulses within each period. The average intensity of the negative polarity pulses is less than the average intensity of the positive polarity pulses.