Abstract: A system and method for generating a digital image in fluorescence gel imaging is disclosed. The method includes providing a gel sample and placing the gel sample on a flat panel detector having array of photodiodes and transistors that collect light generated from the gel sample. The gel sample is illuminated using a light source integrated into the flat panel imaging system and light emitted by the gel sample responsive to an excitation of the gel sample by light provided by the light source is then collected, with the light emitted by the gel sample being collected by the array of photodiodes of the flat panel detector and converted to electric charges to generate light data. The light data is then processed to generate a digital image of the gel sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable circular electrophoretic device having uniform electric field over a small surface area. It also provides a multidirectional process of electrophoresis for separation of charged molecules thereby increasing the resolution of macromolecules.

Abstract: A method of modifying the concentration of reactants and carrying out a chemical reaction on a microfluidic device in which first and second reactants are delivered into a reaction channel combined, the second reactant different from the first reactant and capable of reacting with the first reactant. The first reactant is subjected to a stacking process, thereby producing a first stacked reactant. The second reactant is subjected to the stacking process, thereby producing a second stacked reactant. The first stacked reactant is exposed to the second stacked reactant so that the first stacked reactant and the second stacked reactant undergo a chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method of carrying out a chemical reaction on a microfluidic device in which a first reactant at a first concentration is delivered into a reaction channel; within the reaction channel the concentration of the first reactant is changed from the first concentration to a second concentration; and while at the second concentration the first reactant is exposed to a second reactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capillary electrophoresis-based method of screening complex materials for any unidentified affinity ligand that binds to a target of interest. The method subjects a plug of a mixture of the target and a complex material sample, and a separate plug of a known, tight-binding competitive ligand, to capillary electrophoresis under conditions optimized to allow mingling of the two plugs during the capillary electrophoresis run. Preferably, migration of the competitive ligand is tracked.

Abstract: In pre-cast slab gel cassettes, the formation of pathways in which proteins can migrate between the gel and the walls of the cassette to form shadow bands is avoided by including a nonionic amphiphilic polymer in the monomer solution from which the gel is formed and casting the gel with the polymer included. The nonionic amphiphilic polymer also prevents the resulting gel from sticking to the walls when the gel is to be removed from the cassette after electrophoresis.

Abstract: A machine for sequencing DNA using optical techniques. A sample is loaded in the sample loading area, and place through DNA sequencing gel. The voltage across the reservoir may be increased by improving the cooling and thermal characteristics of the gel device. Preferably materials are used which have at least half and preferably a fifth the thermal transfer characteristics of glass. The materials can also be thin e.g. 50-100 microns. A heat sink can be used to dissipate more of the heat, and a fan can be directed at the heat sink. Moreover, the material can be flexible.

Abstract: The invention relates to capillary electrophoretic methods for detecting ligands or hit compounds that can bind to a selected target at or above a selected binding strength. The method allows one to rank various ligands based on their relative affinity, i.e., the relative stability of the target/ligand complex during capillary electrophoresis under selected conditions. The method also enables selective detection of strong-to-moderate binding hit compounds, even in the presence of high concentrations of weaker, competitive hit compounds.

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 slab gel cassette for slab electrophoresis with a side opening or slot for the bottom edge of the gel is improved by directing the foot of the gel space (i.e., the lower edge of the space that turns toward the side opening) at an obtuse angle (greater than 120.degree.) relative to the remainder of the slab rather than the 90.degree. angle of the prior art. The gel can be flattened for drying without cutting off the foot. A further improvement is the placement of notches in the side edges of the cassette opposite the ends of the slot, and a still further improvement is the placement of additional notches in the ends of the slot itself opposite the aforementioned notches.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette for gel electrophoresis which may be easily disassembled without disrupting or damaging the gel and which prevents the gel from sliding out of the cassette. This invention is further directed to a cassette provided with a comb carrier which allows for the easy insertion of a comb into the cassette after the gel has been poured without damaging the gel and which protects the comb from having unwanted material enter into the comb and into the gel.