Abstract: Provided is a protein quantitation standard having polypeptides of different molecular weights that functions as a mass quantitation standard in one lane of an electrophoretic gel. The protein quantitation standard includes unstained polypeptides having different electrophoretic mobilities that are present in different quantities, such that the bands in the gel have different intensities when visualized. The protein quantitation standard can also contain prestained polypeptides that function as visual molecular weight markers. Also provided are methods of determining the mass of a target polypeptide or protein using the protein quantitation standard.

Abstract: Provided is a protein quantitation standard having polypeptides of different molecular weights that functions as a mass quantitation standard in one lane of an electrophoretic gel. The protein quantitation standard includes unstained polypeptides having different electrophoretic mobilities that are present in different quantities, such that the bands in the gel have different intensities when visualized. The protein quantitation standard can also contain prestained polypeptides that function as visual molecular weight markers. Also provided are methods of determining the mass of a target polypeptide or protein using the protein quantitation standard.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates various devices that are configured to separate a sample, which contains more than one unique species, into any desired number of sub-samples by passing the sample across a like number of separation media configured for a first separation protocol. Each of the sub-samples may be further separated by an additional separation protocol, thereby creating a plurality of mini-samples, each of which may be further separated and/or analyzed. The invention also contemplates using a simple method of using conduits to form a fluid path that passes through a plurality of separation media, each of which media is configured to isolate a particular sub-sample. After various sub-samples of the sample are isolated by the various separation media, the conduits may be removed, thereby enabling each of the isolated sub-samples to be further separated and/or analyzed independent of any other sub-sample.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates various devices that are configured to separate a sample, which contains more than one unique species, into any desired number of sub-samples by passing the sample across a like number of separation media configured for a first separation protocol. Each of the sub-samples may be further separated by an additional separation protocol, thereby creating a plurality of mini-samples, each of which may be further separated and/or analyzed. The invention also contemplates using a simple method of using conduits to form a fluid path that passes through a plurality of separation media, each of which media is configured to isolate a particular sub-sample. After various sub-samples of the sample are isolated by the various separation media, the conduits may be removed, thereby enabling each of the isolated sub-samples to be further separated and/or analyzed independent of any other sub-sample.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates various devices that are configured to separate a sample, which contains more than one unique species, into any desired number of sub-samples by passing the sample across a like number of separation media configured for a first separation protocol. Each of the sub-samples may be further separated by an additional separation protocol, thereby creating a plurality of mini-samples, each of which may be further separated and/or analyzed. The invention also contemplates using a simple method of using conduits to form a fluid path that passes through a plurality of separation media, each of which media is configured to isolate a particular sub-sample. After various sub-samples of the sample are isolated by the various separation media, the conduits may be removed, thereby enabling each of the isolated sub-samples to be further separated and/or analyzed independent of any other sub-sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for purifying a target protein group. The method comprises the steps of contacting a sample comprising at least 95% of the target protein group and at most 5% of contaminating proteins with a library of binding moieties having different binding moieties, binding the contaminating proteins and a minority of the target protein group to the library of binding moieties, separating the unbound target protein group from the proteins bound to the library of binding moieties and collecting the unbound target protein. The collected target protein is more pure than the target protein group in the sample.

Abstract: Each embodiment includes a central sample reservoir and a plurality of satellite reservoirs. In a first embodiment, a first electrode in electrical contact with the central reservoir is charged and second electrodes in electrical contact with the satellite reservoirs are sequentially charged, thereby pI filtering molecules in the central reservoir into the satellite reservoirs. In a second embodiment, the central reservoir is configured to rotate so that molecules in a sample in the central reservoir are centrifugally pI-filtered into the satellite reservoirs. In a third embodiment, first and second electrodes proximate opposite first and second satellite reservoirs, respectively, are charged. Some molecules in a sample are pI filtered into the first and second satellite reservoirs. Third and fourth electrodes proximate opposite third and fourth satellite reservoirs, respectively, are then charged. Some molecules in a sample are pI filtered into the third and fourth satellite reservoirs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for purifying a target protein group. The method comprises the steps of contacting a sample comprising at least 95% of the target protein group and at most 5% of contaminating proteins with a library of binding moieties having different binding moieties, binding the contaminating proteins and a minority of the target protein group to the library of binding moieties, separating the unbound target protein group from the proteins bound to the library of binding moieties and collecting the unbound target protein. The collected target protein is more pure than the target protein group in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates various devices that are configured to separate a sample, which contains more than one unique species, into any desired number of sub-samples by passing the sample across a like number of separation media configured for a first separation protocol. Each of the sub-samples may be further separated by an additional separation protocol, thereby creating a plurality of mini-samples, each of which may be further separated and/or analyzed. The invention also contemplates using a simple method of using conduits to form a fluid path that passes through a plurality of separation media, each of which media is configured to isolate a particular sub-sample. After various sub-samples of the sample are isolated by the various separation media, the conduits may be removed, thereby enabling each of the isolated sub-samples to be further separated and/or analyzed independent of any other sub-sample.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and materials for mapping interaction characteristics between components of a multicomponent biological complex. The methods involve capturing a multicomponent complex on a solid support and washing the support with a series of elution washes forming a gradient of solute concentrations, and determining whether a particular elution wash eluted a particular component.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer probe is formed of a nonconductive polymer that is doped with conductive material. The probe may be used as, or as part of, a repeller plate in a parallel laser ion desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Transparent locations on the probe enable a sample placed thereon to be visualized before or during mass spectrometry. The conductive nature of the probe maintains the consistency of the electromagnetic field applied to the sample. The probe also displays low outgassing and high mechanical and chemical stability, thereby enabling it to be used repetitively.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and materials for mapping interaction characteristics between components of a multicomponent biological complex. The methods involve capturing a multicomponent complex on a solid support and washing the support with a series of elution washes forming a gradient of solute concentrations, and determining whether a particular elution wash eluted a particular component.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of monitoring the production of a target polypeptide by generating surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectral profiles of samples taken from multiple cell culture batches or of samples taken at different times from a given batch. The invention additionally provides methods for monitoring the purification of a target polypeptide from a mixture by generating surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectral profiles of samples taken at various times during a purification process. In addition, the invention relates to methods of identifying conditions that can be used in increasing the scale of a given purification process.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for comparing the relative amounts of biomolecules and identifying biomolecules in samples using affinity tags and mass spectrometry.