A Simple Application Device for Paper Chromatography and Electrophoresis The continuing growth of chromatographic techniques in biochemical research and teaching are a result of the biochemist's need for rapid and efficient separations. Any device which avails itself to this efficiency or rapidity is of great value to teacher and researcher alike. One such device, described below, has greatly increased the speed and the ease with which amino acid samples may be conveniently applied to a paper medium. The application holder below eliminates the awkwardness of handling the filter paper strips while applying either large quantities of unknown samples or smaller quantities of amino acid standards for electrophoretic and/or chromatographic analysis. In short, the device is of simple construction, being made simply of plywood, glass rods, ruhher hands, and finishing nails. Its purpose is, however, to rigidly support the paper medium in the air in order that the sample spots will not become distortedor absorbed as otherwise would happenou any type of surface.
glass rod
paper medium
rubber band
I
wooden base drawn to 1/2 scale
The device also facilitates the use of a hairdryer to dry the samples, once they are applied to the paper. Other procedures now available do not allow the paper to he held tautly, resulting in a possible catastrophe or contamination of the paper medium. Although the device may he made in any proportions, the one used in this laboratory is constructed to hold paper strips of 20 cm in width. First, a wooden base (27 x 20 cm) is obtained. Secondly, two wooden strips (25 x 4 x 1 cm) are attached to the wooden base 4 cm apart. The paper strip is placed over these two wooden strips with the sample application point midway between them. Solid glass rods (28 X 0.5 cm) are then used to hold the paper tightly on each wooden strip while being held down by four small rubber bands (one at each end of therod). The rapidity and convenience resulting from the use of this apparatus will allow more pherograms and chromatograms to he run in your classroom and laboratory. The University of Chicago The Pritzker School of Medicine Box 231,950 East 59th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637
Donald L. Barbeau
Volume 50, Number 6, June 1973 / 391
