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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Digital Microfluidics for Automated Proteomic Processing
Published on: November 7, 2009
Direct vertical electroelution of protein from a PhastSystem band for mass spectrometric identification at the level
Z Buzás1, H T Chang, N E Vieira
1Section on Macromolecular Analysis, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, NICHD, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Abstract:
An electroelution apparatus prototype of a new design was constructed. In that design, the electric field passes vertically through the protein band located on a horizontal (PhastSystem) minigel polymerized on a net of Gel-Fix (Serva). A simple, home-made apparatus allows for electroelution of protein bands at the level of a few picomoles and their identification, after concentration, by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. The technique is applicable to one-dimensional (1-D) or two-dimensional (2-D) gels of any size, but has been exemplified only by application to 1-D minigels to demonstrate the lower limits of protein load of the method. When in the course of further development of the prototype it will be combined with a modification to two dimensions of the electroelution mechanism under computer control of the high-performance gel electrophoresis apparatus (formerly of LabIntelligence), the new design appears uniquely qualified for an automated spot elution from 2-D gels under avoidance of gel sectioning.
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