Polyethyleneglycol methacrylate 200 as an electrophoresis matrix in hydroorganic solvents

The properties of gels composed of poly(polyethyleneglycol methacrylate) and copolymers of polyethyleneglycol methacrylate and acrylamide were studied. These novel electrophoresis matrices are amphigels (swellable in water and organic solvents) that have unprecedented organic solvent compatibility. Hydrophobic proteins which are poorly solubilized in aqueous detergent systems (e.g., zein) are well-resolved in these gels with hydro-organic solvents. This is especially relevant for isoelectric focusing, to avoid using either ionic detergents that may interfere with the focusing, or urea that may cause carbamylation of proteins. Variations of crosslinker, buffer, and solvent systems in these gels were explored.