Electrophoretic system and method for multidimensional analysis

Abstract

A system for electrophoretic analysis includes four tanks, each of which carries an electrolytic solution which accesses a different edge surface of a pair of parallel gel plates. The gel plates include an electrophoretic separation path formed of a selected medium, e.g. an isoelectric focusing gel, extending in a space between the plates and across opposite edges of the plates. A pair of nonpolar barrier webs extend between the plates parallel to and on each side of the path. A different medium, e.g. a running gel, occupies the areas between the gel plates from the opposite sides of the barriers to the remaining edges of the plates. A pair of gaskets are positioned along plate edges which are perpendicular to the path. The gaskets include access apertures for the path and the barriers. A specimen is positioned within a channel leading from an electrolytic solution tank to the path aperture of a gasket and between a dam and the aperture. Electrophoretic separation of the specimen constituents within the separation path is achieved by current flow between a pair of tanks which communicate with the path through the gasket apertures. The barriers are removed preferably by aspiration after specimen separation. An equilibrating medium and gel are infused into the spaces previously occupied by the barriers and electrophoretic separation into the different medium is commenced by current flow between the remaining tanks which access the edges of the gel plates in communication with the different medium.