Abstract: An improved staining method is described for staining a biopolymer such as a peptide, a protein, an RNA, a DNA, an oligosaccharide or a complex containing a peptide, a protein, an RNA, a DNA, or an oligosaccharide in a matrix. The method includes the step of moving a staining reagent into the matrix using an electric force. The staining time can be dramatically reduced relative to conventional technologies. The improved staining method can particularly be used, for example, to stain proteins after gel separation. Other related methods and related kits are also described.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the development of improved methods for quantifying antigen in a vaccine composition in the absence of available antigen standards. More specifically, the disclosure provides fast and robust methods of separating antigens from vaccine compositions, comprising the steps of solubilizing antigen without detergent and without alkylation, using acidification to prevent antigen subtypes from binding again, isolating antigen subtypes with chromatography, and quantifying the eluted antigen with amino acid analysis. The methods of the disclosure are applicable for use with a variety of antigens, thereby providing an improved method in the art of vaccine manufacturing to date.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for detecting proteins on a polyacrylamide gel by background staining method using an organic dye composition containing eosin Y or phloxine B, and the organic dye composition for use in the method, which enables the rapid and simple detection of the protein on the polyacrylamide gel with a high sensitivity.

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 relates to a gel sheet (1) for use in a spot picker device wherein said gel sheet is provide with reference marks (5?–5??) which can be used to determine if the gel sheet (1) has been deformed between the stages of scanning the gel sheet and picking spots out of the gel sheet (1). The present invention also relates to a method of picking spots using such a gel sheet (1) and reference marks for use with the method.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that separation of components of a sample facilitate, and are often necessary for, sample analysis. Dielectrophoretic separation provides an efficient, reliable, nondisruptive, and automatable method for the separation of moieties in a sample based on their dielectric properties. The present invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing the dielectrophoretic separation of one or more moieties in a sample. A first aspect of the present invention is a solution that when mixed with a sample, modifies at least one dielectric property of one or more components of the sample and has a conductivity such that one or more moieties of the sample can be separated using dielectrophoresis. Such solutions can be used in the analysis of samples on chips, and can be used in methods that use binding partners, including microparticles that can be translocated by dielectrophoretic forces, traveling-wave dielectrophoretic forces or magnetic forces.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method for de-staining a substrate that is stained with a dye by bringing the substrate into contact with a de-staining composition and absorbing the dye from the substrate with the de-staining composition, wherein the de-staining composition is a charcoal or ion-exchange resin absorbent incorporated in a semi-solid matrix which is a polyacrylamide or agar gel. With the method of the invention a stained substrate may be stained and de-stained in a single step. The present invention is further drawn to an apparatus for performing the method of de-staining the substrate.

Abstract: A gel relaxer device is provided for relieving stress in an electrophoresis gel between clamping surfaces of a gel clamp. The device includes a pair of operating arms having a gel gripping surface and a clamping actuating surface. The operating arms move toward each other to enable the gripping surfaces to grip and support an electrophoresis gel suspended by a gel clamp. The actuating surfaces of the arms engage the clamping jaws of the gel clamp to open the jaws to allow the gel to relax and assume its normal position and orientation. The operating arms are then separated to allow the gel clamp to again close and clamp the gel. The gel and gel clamp can then be transported to a selected processing stage.

Abstract: The present invention comprises devices and methods for performing channel-less separation of cell particles by dielectrophoresis, DC high voltage-pulsed electronic lysis of separated cells, separation of desired components from crude mixtures such as cell lysates, and/or enzymatic reaction of such lysates, all of which can be conducted on a single bioelectronic chip. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a cartridge (10) including a microfabricated silicon chip (12) on a printed circuit board (14) and a flow cell (16) mounted to the chip (12) to form a flow chamber. The cartridge (10) also includes output pins (22) for electronically connecting the cartridge (10) to an electronic controller. The chip (12) includes a plurality of circular microelectrodes (24) which are preferably coated with a protective permeation layer which prevents direct contact between any electrode and a sample introduced into the flow chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrophoresis systems and methods for forming at least one gel therein and for conducting electrophoresis on the gel without removing the gel from the electrophoresis system. The systems of the present invention include an electrophoresis platform which is a surface onto which one or more electrophoresis gels can be cast, and at least one gel casting/electrophoresis member for use in casting at least one gel on the electrophoresis platform and conducting electrophoresis on the gel. The present invention also includes optional members specific to other stages of the electrophoresis process, including a gel staining member and a gel drying member.

Abstract: The method of stabilizing a carbon dioxide sensor involves treatment of the sensor to reduce the instability that may occur in carbon dioxide sensors when such sensors are exposed to either very low or very high carbon dioxide levels for extended periods of time. This is accomplished by storing the sensor in an aqueous solution containing at least 2 weight percent carbon dioxide, for from several days to several months. The solution may be prepared in advance, or may be dynamically infused with carbon dioxide to provide the desired carbon dioxide content.