Modification of Paper Electrophoresis Equipment to Accommodate Polyacetate Strips -m
The DaDeI electroohoresk mieration chamber Model E-800-2B made by ~ e & c h ~peciaitiesCompany has been adapted to accept cellulose polyacetate strips. The versatility of the instrument has been greatly increased. The modification was made with existing materials common to $1 Ia.hhorstaries, thereby extending the use of this instrument and eliminating the need of two or more instruments to carry out the same procedures. A similar modification would probably work with other types of horizontal table electrophoresis equipment. The modifications and operating procedure follow. Buffer solution was placed into each of the electrode vessels. Wicks, cut from Wbatman 3-mm Chromatography paper, were dipped into the electrode vessels and placed on the migration chamber table. A space of 1in. separated the two wicks which extended 2 cm into the buffer solution in the electrode vessels. Glass rods were laid on the wicks a~proxim&elv4 in. aDart and the cellulose ~olvacetate strips were drapped over the glass rods sd that one end of a strip was on the anode wick'and the other was on the cathode wick completing the connection of anode with cathode. The cellulose polyacetate strips were fixed in position by means of abollow glass rod into which had been innerted 1-em sections of rubber tubing. The hollow rods were placed over the ends of the cellulose polyacetate strips and clamped in position agsiinst the walls of the migration chamber. One hollow glasg rod clamp was placed about one inch from the solid rod that supported the cellulose polyacetate strip. The other hollow rod clamp was placed as close to the second support rod as possible. Once the clamps were in place the proper tension wuld be placed on the strips by sliding the solid support rod back toward the hollow clamping rod (see photograph). This technique eliminates the effects occurring when the strips are in contrtct with the Lucite or any other supporting material of the apparatus. No problem is encountered with sagging strips.
W. B. SIMMONS, T. W. FENDLEY, A N D P.MELIDS AUBWBNUNIVERSITY AusuaN, ALABAMA 36830
562 / Journol of Chemical Education
