Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrophoresis gel plate for analysing or separating macromolecules in a mixture comprising a polymerised gel matrix supported by a hydrophilic microporous membrane.

Abstract: Separation of macromolecules by one-dimensional or two-dimensional methods, such as gel electrophoresis, produces an array of macromolecules, which can be transferred to a support, thereby producing the same array as on the gel. In the case of one-dimensional gel electrophoresis, because of the regular spacing of the gel lanes and the predictable direction of migration of the macromolecules, the positions of the macromolecule spots or bands in the array can be predicted to be at least within the area of the support corresponding to the lanes of the gel. Where the molecular weight of a macromolecule of interest is known, molecular weight markers can be used to determine where the macromolecule band is on the support, even if the macromolecule is not stained in the gel or on the support.

Abstract: An array (100) of macromolecules (the primary array), typically proteins is generated by 2D electrophoresis, for example, and subsequently transferred to a support membrane (102) by electroblotting or the like. An image of the primary array is captured (202) and the coordinates of the various macromolecular spots in the primary array are determined (402). The next step of the process is to print a secondary (or micro) array of one or more reagents or chemicals onto one or more spots/coordinates of the primary array with a pico-litre (pl) dispenser (702). If the macromolecules are proteins, the reagents may be enzymes such as Trypsin or GluC. Use of two different enzymes deposited onto different coordinates on the same spot will cleave the protein at different amino acid sites and, when the spot is analysed in a MALDI-TOP mass spectrometer, will provide increased coverage or matching of peptides in the protein.

Abstract: A method for covalent immobilization of a carbohydrate molecule with an oppositely charged surface, comprising the steps of adsorbing the carbohydrate molecule to the oppositely charged surface in proximity to reactive moieties bound to the charged surface; and next activating the bound moiety sufficiently for covalent attachment to the adsorbed carbohydrate molecule. Also disclosed is a hydrophobic microporous polymer membrane coated with a cross-linked, cationic polymer having fixed charges thereon, the coating having enhanced epoxide content for covalent immobilization of the oppositely-charged carbohydrate molecule. A novel method for sequencing carbohydrates by covalent attachment of a carbohydrate conjugate to the membrane, and subsequent treatment with glycosidases, is also presented.