Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis apparatus and method

Abstract

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis apparatus includes an electrophoresis zone having four edges defined by a plurality of electrodes. A pair of opposed edges are defined by groups of discrete electrodes. Discrete electrodes within each group are electrically isolated from each other while the other pair of opposed edges are used to generate an electrical field. As a result, the electrical field is less distorted than would be the case if each edge was defined by a single elongate electrode. The apparatus can be provided as a cassette with electrodes configured to guide gas generated during electrolysis out of the cassette through apertures, to reduce the build up of combustible gases.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of PCT International Application Number PCT / GB2012 / 050295, filed on Feb. 10, 2012, and GB 1102385.0 filed Feb. 10, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention concerns apparatus and a method for separating a mixture of molecules using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0003]The separation of biologically active or important molecules is a key area for biochemistry and molecular biology. One standard method for isolating or identifying such molecules is polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (PAGE), for example, where the molecules in question are induced to migrate through a polyacrylamide-gel matrix by an electric field. For a given magnitude of the electric field, the speed at which the molecules migrate is dependent on their mass, charge and conformation where the smaller molecules, or molecules with a high charge...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new electrophoresis apparatus that reduces distortion of the electrical field generated by the electrodes. This is achieved by using a group of discrete electrodes to define the second pair of edges, while ensuring that each electrode in the group is electrically isolated from each other. The apparatus also allows for the regulation of the current supplied to individual discrete electrodes to prevent short circuiting. The technical effects of this invention include improved accuracy and precision in electrophoresis analysis.

Problems solved by technology

This process does, however, require manual intervention or complex automation.

A problem with this arrangement is that because the electrodes are conductors which must remain at substantially the same electrical potential along their entire length, the pair of electrodes which are not in use distort the electrical field generated by a pair of electrodes which are in use, distorting the distribution of sample molecules after electrophoresis and reducing the surface area within which two-dimensional gel electrophoresis can be effectively carried out.

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