Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.

Abstract: The presently described subject matter is directed to water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds that exhibit aggregation induced emission, as well as to water dispersible, fluorescent, polymeric microparticles and/or nanoparticles comprising the water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds. Also provided are methods of making and using the compounds and particles. The described conjugated polyene compounds are useful as bioprobes for the detection biomacromolecules, as well as in the manufacture of sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophoresis device, which identifies and quickly collects amplified DNA through electrophoresis, thus easily providing purified DNA without executing a complicated process. The electrophoresis device includes a tank for containing a buffer solution therein; a gel placed in the tank and provided with loading wells for loading a DNA sample therein and collecting wells for collecting the DNA sample, migrated from the loading wells; a comb unit for forming the loading wells and the collecting wells in the gel; and a power supply unit for supplying electric current to the tank.

Abstract: The invention provides a combination of target genes that are useful as genetic markers for the strain-specific detection of Ehrlichia ruminantium. The invention also provides diagnostic methods using said combination of markers.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with venous thrombosis. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with coronary heart disease, and in particular MI, and response to drug treatment. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented that facilitate electrophoresis of prior-cast, hydratable separation media, usefully immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips. The method exploits the swelling of prior-cast, hydratable separation media upon rehydration to help lodge the media in an enclosing member that permits spaced electrical communication with the enclosed separation media. The electrical communication permits a voltage gradient to be established in the enclosed separation medium sufficient to effect separation of analytes therein. Cassettes, buffer cores, electrophoresis systems and kits are presented for effecting the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for electroelution with sample collection decoupled from the electrophoretic field can generally comprise a channel having a first fluid pathway in fluid communication with a second fluid pathway, the first fluid pathway can comprise a first port in fluid communication with a second port, and a receptacle intermediate the ports, the second fluid pathway can comprise an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet, the first and second ports can be associated with first and second electrodes, respectively, such that the electrodes can create an electrophoretic field across the receptacle, and the channel can be configured to create a pressure drop from the first fluid pathway towards the second fluid pathway that encourages the electroeluted sample to flow towards the second fluid pathway.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for evaluating and characterizing peptides, peptide mixtures, and polypeptide mixtures. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for evaluating or characterizing complex peptide or polypeptide mixtures comprising glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine, and lysine, e.g., Copolymer-1 or glatiramer acetate, including, but not limited to, methods of identifying, isolating, quantifying, and purifying amino acids, peptides, polypeptides, and combinations thereof having a diethylamide group instead of a carboxyl group present on the C-terminus. The presently disclosed methods can be used to determine the mole percent of polypeptides having a diethylamide group at a C-terminus thereof and can be used to evaluate one or more properties of a sample of one polypeptide mixture as compared to one or more properties of a different sample of a polypeptide mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of new mutations in KCNQ1 (also termed KvLQTI), KCNH2 (also termed HERG), SCN5A, KCNE1 (also termed minK), KCNE2 (also termed MiRP) genes that encode ionic channels involved in cardiac electrical activity and are potentially responsible for the Long QT Syndrome. According to a main aspect, the invention relates to nucleic acids, oligonucleotides and polynucleotides and mRNA, containing sequences of KCNQ1, KCNH2 SCN5A, KCNE1, KCNE2 genes and cDNAs in a mutated form and to respective variant proteins thereof. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by a diagnostic method based on the identification of a group of about 70 non-private mutations in the KCNQ1, KCNH2 and SCN5A genes, detected at high frequency.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for a gel electrophoresis device, the electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode member adapted to provide an electrical contact with one or more gel strips, wherein the first electrode member comprises a first locking element to lock the first electrode member to the gel electrophoresis device.

Abstract: To improve automation, especially in 2D gel electrophoresis of proteins, DNA etc., a separation device (1) has a physically activatable means for releasing surfactant, eg. SDS, into the gel fr SDS-PAGE. In one embodiment, surfactant-bound polymer is photolytically cleaved; in another, a barrier layer (30) is melted/destroyed to allow surfactant from reservoir (20) to reach the separation area (10). The barrier layer may comprise a novolac.

Abstract: A first dimension electrophoresis apparatus of vertical type with a gel container 2 having a plurality of rectangular rod-shaped gel chambers is provided. The rod-type gels surrounded with non-conductive material plates are arranged in parallel, an upper open end of the gel container 2 is placed tightly into an upper buffer reservoir 4 and the lower open end thereof is placed tightly into a lower buffer reservoir 1. The gel container 2 and the main parts of the first buffer reservoir 4 and the lower buffer reservoir 1 are sunk in a cooling reservoir 5 filled with cooling liquid. The lower buffer reservoir has a panel portion 1b which is bent upward to penetrate the cooling reservoir. Outlet conductors thereof extend from each of the reservoirs and are insulated physically and electrically from the cooling liquid. As a result, the outer surface of the gel container can directly contact with the cooling liquid.

Abstract: Electroblotting for the transfer of electrophoretically separated species from a gel to a transfer membrane is performed in a semi-dry format with sheets of absorbent polyester or polyester/cellulose blend wetted with buffer solution in place of the traditional buffer-wetted filter paper. The result is effective electroblotting at a lower electric current level than that obtained with filter paper and thereby less resistance heating of the gel, the transfer membrane, and the species being transferred.

Abstract: A process for preparing a processed sample liquid solution for gel electrophoresis, comprising (a) treating a sample comprising a cell suspension in a non-shearing manner to produce a processed sample liquid solution comprising a mixture of DNA fragments extracted from the cell suspension, wherein at least one of the DNA fragments is greater than 200 kilobase pairs and (b) transferring the processed sample liquid solution in a non-shearing manner directly to an electrophoresis medium for conducting electrophoresis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of stable solutions of charged inorganic-organic polymers, in which the hydrolysis-condensation reactions of metal alkoxides in alcoholic solutions are controlled using a condensation inhibitor that forms protons. The invention further relates to substrates coated by sol-gel electrophoretic deposition (EPD) with these solutions, and to metal oxide coated substrates obtained therefrom.

Abstract: Electrophoresis systems, assemblies, cassettes and methods for easily, and more effectively and efficiently, isolating a biomolecule band from an electrophoretic gel are provided. The methods use an electrophoresis cassette with at least one loading well and at lest one collection well. A sample containing the biomolecule of interest is placed into at least one loading well and buffer or water is placed in at lest one collection well. An electric field is then applied to drive migration and separation of the sample into different component bands within the gel. When the component of interest is located within at least one collection well, the electric field is terminated and the buffer or water in the collection well is removed, thereby isolating and collecting the sample component of interest.

Abstract: A degradable polyacrylamide gel for analyzing or separating at least one macromolecule in a sample using electrophoresis includes a polyacrylamide cross-linked with at least one degradable cross-linker having a ketal or acetal group with the formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen, an alkyl, or a substituted alkyl.

Abstract: Particles of interest, such as DNA molecules, are injected into a medium by applying a first field. Once in the medium the particles are concentrated by applying one or more fields that cause mobilities of the particles in the medium to vary in a manner that is correlated with motions of the particles. Particle injection and particle concentration may be performed concurrently or in alternation.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating single- and double-stranded nucleic acid molecules based on their strandness and length.

Abstract: By using an electrophoretic buffer comprising a polymerized polymer micelle formed by the steps comprising dispersing into an aqueous medium a block copolymer represented by HPLS-HPBS-PLZA, wherein HPLS is a hydrophilic polymer segment, HPBS is a hydrophobic polymer segment, and PLZA is a polymerizable group having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, and polymerizing the block copolymer as a buffer for a capillary electrophoresis or a microchip electrophoresis, pressurizing the sample after introduction at a given pressure for a given time period, and electrophoresing in an electrophoretic electric field, a polymer compound such as DNA can be separated rapidly and in high separation ability.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target biomolecule directly in a polyacrylamide gel in which it has been separated from other substances. Prior to binding the target to a probe and while the target biomolecule remains in the gel, the gel is immersed in a water miscible aqueous extracting medium containing a base to shrink the gel by at least about ten percent, and then the gel is washed with water to restore the gel to substantially its original size.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein markers for diagnosing stomach cancer and a diagnostic kit using the same, more precisely protein markers screened by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and bioinformatics and a diagnostic kit using the same. The markers of the invention can be effectively used for diagnosing stomach cancer and evaluating the extent of progress of the cancer by confirming the expression levels of those marker proteins whose expressions differ in stomach cancer patients from in normal healthy people.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the separation of analytes based on their molecular weight, by application of an electric field across a low-friction matrix that includes with a charged separation agent. The matrix comprises charged regions ordered in a monotonous sequence distributed throughout the matrix so as to generate a charge density gradient. When an external electric field is applied, the complex will move through the different charged regions and focusing of different analytes in different charge regions will occur. These systems are suitable for planar, capillary in-tube electrophoresis, as well as multi-channel arrays of capillaries filled with charge gradient gels, serial arrays of discrete compartments with charge density gradient, arrays in a chip format, pre-designed mass focusing arrays for specific protein masses in application for protein and DNA marker diagnostics, and multi compartment trapping devices for specific mass ranges.

Abstract: Significantly higher yield and better resolution in pI gels are obtained by creating traps having two or more layers of gel containing closely stepped immobilized pH buffers. Proteins move from a pH at which they are negatively charged towards an anode at which they are positively charged. Discrete regions containing immobilized pH buffers trap the proteins when the immobilized buffer pH and the protein pI are approximately the same. The protein is trapped within the second layer and not on the surface of or interface of the second layer. Significantly higher yields with better resolution can be obtained through the use of layered sample application gels prior to isoelectric focusing. Layered plugs are prepared with a range of immobilized pH buffers ranging, for example, over 2 pH units, with steps of 0.05 or 0.1 pH units. An array of multilayered plugs wherein each plug has different pH increments is also provided.

Abstract: Applicator of a fluid sample on a substrate, wherein at least an applying blade substantially of rectangular shape in its turn defining a body of the blade, a tip of the blade and two facing side edges of the blade, wherein each blade has a drain of the body of the blade stretching between the facing side edges of the blade, the drain defining a physical barrier for the fluid sample; and at least one calibrated retention aperture of the fluid sample, put between the tip of the blade and the drain of the blade, the at least one aperture being calibrated in order to keep on its inside an exactly defined amount of fluid sample.

Abstract: A gel and buffer system for gel electrophoresis wherein separation occurs at neutral pH.

Abstract: This is a device that directly collects DNA, RNA, or protein on agarose gel or polyacrylamide gel, which is separated and purified after applying electrophoresis to DNA, RNA, or protein on agarose gel or polyacrylamide gel. The present invention has improved the traditional methods that collect DNA, RNA, or protein fragments in the gel by slicing the gel in order to collect DNA, RNA, or protein fragments that are purified and separated by applying electrophoresis to DNA, RNA, or protein.

Abstract: An electrophoresis device having a separation chamber that is provided with at least one sample inlet on the inlet side and outlets (9) for the electrophoretically treated sample species on the outlet side. The separation chamber is divided into two chamber parts (7, 8) by at least one separation element (2) which is selectively permeable for specific sample species and has a continuous inner space extending longitudinally, especially a hollow fiber, from the inlet to the outlet side. Electrodes (4) are disposed parallel to the separation element on both sides of the separation chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating a convective liquid motion in a fluidic microsystem. According to this method, a liquid in a microsystem is simultaneously exposed to an electrical field and a thermal gradient. The electrical field is generated by means of an electrode arrangement which is subjected to a time-variant voltage. In this way, a time variant electrical field is formed in the liquid volume. The thermal gradient is produced by means of at least one radiation absorber located in the compartment which is exposed to at least one external radiation field.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fast and efficient means for identifying kinetically stable proteins. As used herein the term “kinetically stable protein” means a protein that is trapped in a specific conformation due to an unusually high unfolding barrier that results in very slow unfolding rates. The present inventors are the first to discover the existence of a correlation between kinetic stability and SDS-induced denaturation. Thus, the invention provides methods for identifying kinetically stable proteins comprising the step of testing the proteins for resistance to denaturation by SDS. In one embodiment, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) is one simple method for quickly identifying and selecting kinetically stable proteins.

Abstract: A method of incorporating biomolecules in a thin film mounted on a substrate, with the film having a thickness of not more than about 10 microns, includes providing a metal structure on the substrate between the thin film and the substrate, positioning a medium containing biomolecules in contact with a side of the film remote from the metal substrate, and applying a predetermined electrical voltage between the metal substrate and the medium to cause biomolecules to migrate in an electrophoretic manner from the medium into the thin film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrophoresis and in particular electrophoretic gel composites used for separation of biomolecules, such as proteins and peptides. More particularly, the invention relates to gel composites with improved oxygen barrier properties. The invention provides an electrophoretic gel composite, comprising a) a polymer support; b) an electrophoretic hydrogel; and c) an oxygen barrier film between the polymer support and the hydrogel. Preferably the hydrogel is produced in the presence of an oxygen scavenger and/or under inert atmosphere. The improved oxygen barrier properties make the gel composites excellent for electrophoresis without artifacts in the gel.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes dispersed by a stabilized solution of nucleic acid molecules formed separated nanotube-nucleic acid complexes and were separated according to standard chromatographic methods, including gel electrophoresis, two phase solvent systems and ion exchange chromatography.

Abstract: The invention relates to 5 identified protein biomarkers, gamma- and beta-Actin proteins, for screening, diagnosis, drug targeting, and drug design for resistance of cancer to an Ab1 kinase inhibitor. The method is based on the use of two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis to separate the complex mixture of proteins found in bone marrow aspirate samples, taken from patients at time of diagnosis of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), the quantitation of 5 protein spots identified as beta- and/or gamma-Actin proteins, to differentiate between patients who will respond to or resist treatment when the patients are subsequently treated with an Ab1 kinase inhibitor.

Abstract: A system for automated excision of one or more samples from a sample media, including by using a device for electronically capturing one or more traits of samples in the media, using a microprocessor linked to the device to analyze the captured traits by comparison to reference databases, identifying samples of interest at location coordinates in the sample media, and automatically excising and processing the samples through the use of a novel robotic excision tool.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional proteomic analysis method utilizing cationic electrophoresis is described. The method includes separating proteins in one direction using cationic electrophoresis and separating the proteins in a second orthogonal direction using other electrophoresis separation methods such as denaturing electrophoresis and electrophoresis subsequent to proteolytic cleavage or isofocussing. The two dimensional array may be used to determine various protein-protein interactions in a sample.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying genomic DNA requires the use of a cassette that is formed with a plurality of wells. Each well has first and second apertures that are respectively covered by a section made of an electrophoretic filter medium (e.g. agarose). In use, a lysate is loaded into the well while the cassette is submerged in a buffer fluid. A voltage cycle is then applied to alternate between forward and reverse electrophoresis in the well, to separate impurities from the lysate for purification of genomic DNA.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solidified hybrid gel for use in an electrophoresis process, having a solidified first gel portion juxtaposed with a solidified second gel portion. The first gel portion is capable of accommodating therein one or more samples for electrophoresis after said first gel portion is in solidified form, and the second gel portion is adapted for enabling an electrophoresis process to be applied to such a sample that may be accommodated in said first gel portion. Thus, the hybrid gel may be provided in a precast form to users, ready for use. The invention is also directed to methods for providing such a gel, apparatuses for accommodating such a gel, and methods for carrying out electrophoresis on a sample comprised in such a gel.

Abstract: A method that comprises providing a polymerized sol-gel material (PSG) and linking an enzyme to a surface of the PSG via covalent linkage is provided. The surface of the PSG is derivatized with a linker that comprises a functional group for linking itself to the surface of the PSG and a functional group for linking itself with the enzyme. The linked-enzyme PSG, or microreactor, is an effective means of at least partially digesting a substrate, such as a biological substrate. The activity of the enzyme of the microreactor may be significantly enhanced, up to 200-fold to over 2000-fold, for example, relative to the activity of the enzyme free of the microreactor. The microreactor is thus an effective vehicle for digesting a substrate such as a biomolecule, a protein, an oligonucleotide, a peptide, a steroid, and/or an organic acid, after which, any remaining substrate and one or more digestion product(s) may be separated and detected.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide, for example, buffer compositions and/or sieving formulations useful in connection with electrophoresis instruments, such as capillary electrophoresis (CE) devices. In various embodiments, a buffer composition can include Bis-Tris, TAPS and/or TAPSO, and, optionally, a chelating agent, such as EDTA. Methods of separating samples containing bio-molecules, such as DNA or RNA, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the genotype of a sample polynucleotide having at least a first variant site. At least a portion of the sample polynucleotide is amplified to obtain first amplicons, the first amplicons including the first variant site. The first amplicons are combined with first and second different polynucleotide controls, the first and second polynucleotide controls differing by at least one base therealong, the position of the at least one differing base corresponding to the first variant site of the sample polynucleotide. A plurality of first duplexes are prepared, each of at least some of the first duplexes comprising (i) a polynucleotide strand of one of the first amplicons and (ii) a complementary polynucleotide strand of the first polynucleotide control.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display medium includes at least one set of colored particles in a dielectric fluid, wherein the display medium has an electrical conductivity of about 10?11 to about 10?15 S/m. The display medium is included in an electrophoretic display device by including the medium in a multiplicity of individual reservoirs of a display layer or layers that is located between conductive substrates.

Abstract: A method of in situ electrophoresis of biological samples has the steps of preparing a sample plate and a gel plate, applying reagent onto the gel plate, moving an applicator to the sample plate so as to receive a sample onto the applicator, moving the applicator toward the gel plate such that at least a portion of the sample is loaded onto the gel plate, electrophoresing the gel plate, staining the gel plate and scanning the stained gel plate so as to electronically analyze a band in the gel of the gel plate.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for producing microfibers and nanofibers and further fabricating derived solid monolithic materials having aligned uniform micro- or nanofibrils. A method for producing fibers ranging in diameter from micrometer-sized to nanometer-sized comprises the steps of producing an electric field and preparing a solid precipitative reaction media wherein the media comprises at least one chemical reactive precursor and a solvent having low electrical conductivity and wherein a solid precipitation reaction process for nucleation and growth of a solid phase occurs within the media. Then, subjecting the media to the electric field to induce in-situ growth of microfibers or nanofibers during the reaction process within the media causing precipitative growth of solid phase particles wherein the reaction conditions and reaction kinetics control the size, morphology and composition of the fibers.

Abstract: Destructible surfactants and methods of using same are provided. The invention includes anionic surfactants having a dioxolane or dioxane functional group which enables the surfactant to be broken down under acidic conditions. The invention also includes methods of making anionic surfactants and methods of using anionic surfactants in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fast and efficient means for identifying kinetically stable proteins. As used herein the term “kinetically stable protein” means a protein that is trapped in a specific conformation due to an unusually high unfolding barrier that results in very slow unfolding rates. The present inventors are the first to discover the existence of a correlation between kinetic stability and SDS-induced denaturation. Thus, the invention provides methods for identifying kinetically stable proteins comprising the step of testing the proteins for resistance to denaturation by SDS. In one embodiment, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) is one simple method for quickly identifying and selecting kinetically stable proteins. In another embodiment a two-dimensional SDS-PAGE provides a high throughput method for quickly identifying kinetically stable proteins in a sample.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, automatically determining an electric charge—related characteristic or derived parameter of particles in a dispersion or of a cell wall, comprises having a particle—containing dispersion provided in a cell. The dispersion is illuminated with light from a light source and detecting from a detection volume light scattered from the particles. An electric field is applied to the dispersion at a first frequency of change of direction of the electric field and an electric field is subsequently applied to the dispersion at a second frequency of change of direction of the electric field. First signals detected from the scattered light when the first frequency electric field is applied are used to provide first values related to the velocity distribution of the particles.

Abstract: The method entails using capillary electrophoresis or capillary isoelectric focusing to separate intact microbes. The capillary system can be a conventional capillary tube or a microfluidic device. The method is employed to maintain the microbes intact to identify and/or quantitate the microbes. The identification of the microbe allows for the diagnosis of disease associated with the microbe.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for separating molecules, such as biomolecules. The method, system, and apparatus utilize an electrochemical cell having at least to electrodes, one electrode comprising a photo-sensitive material capable of generating a photopotential. Molecules are moved through an electrolyte medium between the at least two electrodes based upon localized photopotentials.