Methods, articles and kits for labeling polymer gels

Abstract

The invention provides methods, apparatus and kits for integrally labeling polymeric gels, such as polyacrylamide and agarose gels, with indicia that can serve, inter alia, unambiguously to identify the individual gel, using polymeric film labeled with detectable indicia and coated with materials that bond to the gel matrix as the gel polymerizes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to gel electrophoresis. More particularly, this invention relates to methods, articles and kits for labeling polymer gels used for gel electrophoresis.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Gel electrophoresis is among the most common analytical procedures used in biologic research, and is used to characterize, separate, and at times to purify a wide variety of biological molecules, including deoxyribonucleic acid (“DNA”), ribonucleic acid (“RNA”) and proteins.[0003]The basic principles are well established. A gel, such as polyacrylamide or agarose, is first solidified from a liquid solution by polymerization within a rigid gel casting form. To effect separation of an analytical mixture, an electric potential is applied across the length of the polymer gel, either as enclosed within the casting form or, particularly in the case of agarose gels, after removal of the gel from the casting form. Charged analytes placed within the gel a...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, it is difficult to mark the gel surface (e.g., by writing on the gel), and the gel shape may not easily be modified without disturbing the uniformity of the electric field desired to be maintained in the gel during electrophoresis.

Furthermore, it is frequently difficult after electrophoresis to determine the orientation that tie gel had maintained during electrophoresis.

For example, the researcher may be unable readily to determine after electrophoresis which side of the gel had been proximal to the anode and which proximal to the cathode, particularly if the sample wells have been removed from the gel.

This technique, however, does not provide an identification mark that is visible both prior to and following electrophoresis.

Nor does this technique provide unambiguous identification, especially when several gels are being stained or processed simultaneously.

This technique, however, causes both physical and optical problems.

The filter paper can, for example, cause localized disturbance in the electric field, either directly, or indirectly through a local change in temperature or electrolyte concentration, thus distorting the migration of analytes through gel.

The paper, although physically entrapped in the gel, may still separate therefrom, or may weaken the gel so that the gel breaks easily, allowing the label to come free.

The filter's opacity may obscure detection of analyte in portions of the gel that it overlies.

Furthermore, following electrophoresis, the filter paper may take up the stains that are used to render the analytes themselves detectable, further obscuring the analytes in the gel.

These films, available commercially, have not been taught to be useful if smaller in surface area than the gel to be supported thereon.

Such films have also not been taught to be useful substrates for applying indicia that would serve unambiguously to identify the adherent gel.

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