Abstract: A method for separating microorganisms, especially infectious agents, from a mixture by two dimensional centrifugation on the basis of sedimentation rate and isopycnic banding density, for sedimenting such microorganisms through zones of immobilized reagents to which they are resistant, for detecting banded particles by light scatter or fluorescence using nucleic acid specific dyes, and for recovering the banded particles in very small volumes for characterization by mass spectrometry of viral protein subunits and intact viral particles, and by fluorescence flow cytometric determination of both nucleic acid mass and the masses of fragments produced by restriction enzymes. The method is based on the discovery that individual microorganisms, such as bacterial and viral species, are each physically relatively homogeneous, and are distinguishable in their biophysical properties from other biological particles, and from non-biological particles found in nature.

Abstract: Removal of abundant proteins from a sample enhances detection and resolution of less abundant proteins in the sample such as in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The removal is accomplished by immunosubtraction of several high abundance, interfering or contaminating proteins simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: Data acquisition and cataloging are used to classify polypeptides into a reference index or database. The database can be used to identify previously unidentified samples. New polypeptides are characterized and added to the database.

Abstract: Protein disease markers for obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes, osteoarthritis and hypertension are disclosed. These markers are not inherited or of genetic origin as they were not found in identical twins of the affected individual. Methods and uses for diagnostic, therapeutic and drug discovery are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: An apparatus for expressing and unloading an isoelectric focusing gel from an electrophoresis gel tube includes a first support for supporting the gel tube, a plunger rod and a second support for supporting the plunger rod. The first support is mounted on a movable carriage and is moved toward the second support so that the gel tube slides onto the plunger rod to unload the gel from the gel tube. A plurality of gel tubes can be mounted in a rack and the rack coupled to the first support. The first support preferably includes a plurality of openings oriented with the gel tubes for guiding a respective plunger rod through the axial passage of the gel tubes. In preferred embodiments, the second support supporting the plunger rods is substantially stationary while the first support moves toward the second support so that the gel tubes slide onto the plunger rods.

Abstract: Data acquisition and cataloging are used to classify polypeptides into a reference index or database. The database can be used to identify previously unidentified samples. New polypeptides are characterized and added to the database.

Abstract: An automated computer controlled apparatus includes a robotic assembly for capturing an electrophoresis gel and transferring the gel to a sequence of treatment stages. The robotic assembly has an articulated arm assembly for capturing a gel and moving the gel to a selected work station. The gels are supported by a carrier having magnetically biased clamping jaws. The robotic arm assembly is constructed to capture the carrier to manipulate the gel. The gel is suspended by the carrier in a manner to prevent tearing and stretching of the gel. The gel treating stations have tanks with surfaces to inhibit the gel from adhering to the walls of the tank. Typically, the surfaces of the walls have a plurality of channels formed by projections to allow the flow of liquid between the gel and the wall surface and reduce surface area of the wall contacting the gel. An agitating assembly reciprocates the gel in the tank to agitate the treating liquid.

Abstract: A method for separating microorganisms, especially infectious agents, from a mixture by two dimensional centrifugation on the basis of sedimentation rate and isopycnic banding density, for sedimenting such microorganisms through zones of immobilized reagents to which they are resistant, for detecting banded particles by light scatter or fluorescence using nucleic acid specific dyes, and for recovering the banded particles in very small volumes for characterization by mass spectrometry of viral protein subunits and intact viral particles, and by fluorescence flow cytometric determination of both nucleic acid mass and the masses of fragments produced by restriction enzymes. The method is based on the discovery that individual microorganisms, such as bacterial and viral species, are each physically relatively homogeneous, and are distinguishable in their biophysical properties from other biological particles, and from non-biological particles found in nature.

Abstract: Microarrays are prepared by using a separate fiber for each compound being used in the microarray. The fibers are bundled and sectioned to form a thin microarray that may be glued to a backing.

Abstract: An automated assembly for carrying out a first dimension electrophoresis separation of proteins and other macromolecules includes a supply magazine, an automated transferring device and an electrophoresis tank. The tank includes a rack supporting a plurality of gel tubes and includes a chamber for containing a buffer solution in contact with one end of the gel tubes. The assembly includes a planar cover member overlying the tank. The cover member has a plurality of apertures with a guide surface for guiding the pipette through the chamber to the top end of the gel tubes. The supply magazine includes a carousel for storing sample containers, a bar code reader, a holding device and an arm for transferring the sample container from the carousel to the bar code reader and the holding device. The transferring device includes a robotic assembly that is movable in three dimensions for removing a sample from a sample container and delivering the sample to a selected gel tube in the electrophoresis tank.

Abstract: A method for separating microorganisms, especially infectious agents, from a mixture by two dimensional centrifugation on the basis of sedimentation rate and isopycnic banding density, for sedimenting such microorganisms through zones of immobilized reagents to which they are resistant, for detecting banded particles by light scatter or fluorescence using nucleic acid specific dyes, and for recovering the banded particles in very small volumes for characterization by mass spectrometry of viral protein subunits and intact viral particles, and by fluorescence flow cytometric determination of both nucleic acid mass and the masses of fragments produced by restriction enzymes. The method is based on the discovery that individual microorganisms, such as bacterial and viral species, are each physically relatively homogeneous, and are distinguishable in their biophysical properties from other biological particles, and from non-biological particles found in nature.

Abstract: The microarrays of the present invention are prepared by using a separate fiber for each compound being used in the microarray. The fibers are bundled and sectioned to form a thin microarray that is glued to a backing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring an electrophoresis gel from a cassette to a carrier includes a tray having a dimension to receive a cassette and a carrier device. The tray has a bottom wall with a surface with channels or recesses formed by projections to reduce contact of an electrophoresis gel with the bottom wall of the tray. The projections are typically pyramid-shaped members extending to a peak having a small surface area to prevent the electrophoresis gel from adhering to the bottom wall. The bottom wall also includes a recessed area to receive the carrier so that the gel can slide easily from the cassette to open jaws of the carrier. A retaining arm extends from a side wall of the tray to hold the jaws of the carrier in an open position while the gel is being positioned between the clamping surfaces of the jaws.

Abstract: A slab gel processing tank is provided according to the invention. The slab gel processing tank comprises a bottom, two substantially parallel end panels, and two substantially parallel side panels having substantially vertical lower portions and outwardly angled upper portions, with the upper portions being textured to minimize contact with a gel slab, wherein the tank is adapted to be filled with a gel processing working fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated, fully automated, high-throughput system for two-dimensional electrophoresis comprised of gel-making machines, gel processing machines, gel compositions and geometries, gel handling systems, sample preparation systems, software and methods. The system is capable of continuous operation at high-throughput to allow construction of large quantitative data sets.