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Poly(ethylene glycol)-functionalized devices for electric field gradient focusing
Xuefei Sun1, Paul B Farnsworth, Adam T Woolley
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.
Analytical Chemistry
|December 18, 2007
Summary
New devices using electric field gradient focusing (EFGF) with a protein-resistant hydrogel and a monolith show improved protein separation. This technique effectively focuses and concentrates charged analytes for better analytical performance.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Electric field gradient focusing (EFGF) is an equilibrium gradient technique for analyte manipulation.
- Existing EFGF methods require optimization for protein handling and band dispersion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and evaluate novel EFGF devices using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-functionalized materials.
- To enhance protein focusing and separation by incorporating a PEG-functionalized monolith.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of EFGF devices from PEG-functionalized acrylic plastic with a hydrogel separation channel.
- Application of a linear electric field gradient and hydrodynamic counterflow.
- Incorporation of a protein-compatible PEG-functionalized monolith within the channel.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated EFGF device performance using standard proteins as analytes.
- Observed analyte band broadening with increased counterflow or decreased voltage, correlating with theory.
- Achieved significantly narrower protein bands in monolith-filled channels compared to open channels.
Conclusions:
- Developed functionalized hydrogel-based EFGF devices for charged analyte separation.
- Monolith incorporation effectively reduces band dispersion and improves protein focusing.
- The novel EFGF devices show promise for enhanced analytical separations.
