Abstract: A batch method for preparing polyacrylamide aqueous gels for electrophoresis, including providing a plurality of gel plate supporters abreast in an airtight gel-forming container, eliminating oxygen from or introducing oxygen-free gas into said container, charging a gel-forming solution into said container, and gelatinizing the solution. It can easily produce a large quantity of high quality polyacrylamide gel plates for electrophoresis with a homogeneous quality and a high resolving power in an automated batch method in a short period of time.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polyacrylamide gel plate for electrophoresis with any desired concentrations, which comprises mixing a high concentration acrylamide monomer solution, a low concentration peroxide solution, and a low concentration reducing solution at an arbitrary ratio, and introducing the mixture into a gel supporter. The process enables preparation of a large quantity of high quality polyacrylamide gel plates for electrophoresis which is useful for analysis of high molecular weight in vivo components typified by proteins with a good reproducibility. It also contributes to the production of various gels having a plurality of gel concentrations or having a specified concentration gradient, and serves for improving the productivity of multi-products manufacturing of such gel plates.

Abstract: An improved silver staining technique is disclosd for the detection of a biocomponent contained in a support medium. The technique includes fixing the support medium with a fixing agent, pretreating the thus-fixed support medium with a sensitizer, treating the resultant support medium with a silver staining solution and then developing the thus-treated support medium with a reducing agent. In one aspect of the invention, thiourea is incorporated in either one or both of the fixing agent and sensitizer. In another aspect of the invention, thiosulfate is contained in the reducing agent. According to the invention, improved stainability and contrast are obtained. Also disclosed is a silver staining kit.

Abstract: A novel vertical slab type electrophoresis apparatus, characterized by the provision of a gel holding glass sheet couple detachably fitted in a pair of tapered fitting groove formed opposingly on and along the entire length of glass support column portions of a buffer solution chamber by means of wedge-like fixing bars having an outer shape corresponding to the internal wall shape of said fitting groove.The electrophoresis apparatus precludes distortion of the gel which is gripped between the coupled glass sheets, permitting to obtain excellent migration images while preventing fracture of the glass sheets.

Abstract: A silver staining method comprising the steps of (1) pretreating a carrier bearing thereon a substance to be detected with an alcoholic solution containing polyethylene glycol or polyoxyethylene alkylphenol, and (2) treating the pretreated carrier with a solution comprising silver nitrate, a compound of R--NH.sub.2, and a caustic alkali in ratios by molecular weight of 1:4.5-9.5:1.0-26.0.The method according to the invention involves advantages of high sensitivity and good reproducibility of detection, simple operation, safe handling etc.