Displacement electrophoresis in gel as a technique for separating proteins on a preparative scale

A preparative displacement electrophoresis apparatus has been developed for the fractionation of proteins and other macromolecules. The separation is carried out down a vertical annular gel which is supported by a cylindrical glass cooler. The gel is protected from evaporation by a heavy inert insulating liquid with the terminating electrolyte floating on it. Very high potential drops and instabilities in the terminating electrolyte are avoided by continuously lowering the level of the inert liquid during the course of the separation. Fluorescent mobility markers have been synthesized, which make it possible to follow the progress of the separation and to divide the gel into fractions, once the separation is complete.