A system for performing capillary electrophoresis of multiple samples comprises a capillary containing a separation medium and having inlet and distal ends and an interrogation region; a power source configured to apply voltages between inlet and distal ends; and logic to cause execution of: applying a first substantially constant forward polarity electrophoresis voltage to the capillary; before all of the first DNA fragments have passed the interrogation region, applying a reverse polarity voltage pulse to the capillary, thereby transporting at least some of the first DNA fragments in the capillary toward the capillary inlet; introducing a second sample to the capillary inlet, the second sample comprising second DNA fragments having a plurality of different sizes; and applying a second substantially constant forward polarity electrophoresis voltage to the capillary to simultaneously perform electrophoresis on the second DNA fragments and the first DNA fragments.

A device for extracting at least one analyte may include: a sample reservoir configured to contain a sample comprising at least one target analyte and interfering materials; at least one extraction chamber connected to the sample reservoir; at least one porous structure lining one or more sides of the at least one extraction chamber; and a voltage source configured to provide a first voltage and a second voltage, wherein, when the first voltage is provided, the at least one target analyte and the interfering materials move towards the at least one extraction chamber or to a predetermined area from the at least one extraction chamber, wherein, when the second voltage is provided, the interfering materials pass through and exit the at least one extraction chamber, and the at least one target analyte is stopped from exiting the at least one extraction chamber by means of the at least one porous structure.

A 3-dimensional PDMS cell sorter having multiple passages in a PDMS layer that follow the same path in a DEP separation region and that are in fluid communication with each other within that region. The passages may differ in width transverse to the flow direction within the passages. Flat plates may sandwich the PDMS layer; each plate may have a planar electrode used to generate a DEP field within a sample fluid flowed within the passages. The DEP field may concentrate target cells or particulates within one of the passages within the DEP separation region. The passages may diverge after the DEP-separation region, leaving one passage with a high concentration of target cells or particulates. Techniques for manufacturing such structures, as well as other micro-fluidic structures, are also provided.

Provided herein is an apparatus for gel electrophoresis comprising a cassette and a comb having at least one wedge-shaped tooth.

A precast gel and blotting membrane combination unit and method of use. The device includes two plates, each plate having a conductive opaque region with conductive polymers and a transparent region having static-dissipative polymers. Between the plates are a gel matrix and blotting membrane. The device is placed in a tank capable of both performing the electrophoresis phase and transfer phase of a western blot. During the electrophoresis phase, current flows from a pair of electrophoresis electrodes to separate proteins by size. The user can visualize the extent of protein separation by observing a tracking dye through the transparent region. After the electrophoresis phase, voltage is switched to a pair of transfer phase electrodes. The device allows current to flow through the conductive opaque regions of the plates to transfer separated proteins to a blotting membrane directly after electrophoresis without having to remove or reorient the device in the tank.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for separation of biomolecules via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, methods and apparatus for immunoblotting separated biomolecules, and methods for the use of biomolecules processed via the methods and apparatus of the present invention, including use in a clinical setting. The methods and apparatus for separation of biomolecules via two-dimensional gel comprises vertical agarose gel electrophoresis in the first dimension, and the electrophoresis of a novel non-denaturing 3-35% concave gradient polyacrylamide gel in the second dimension. This novel gel can be cast in a modified gel caster that can facilitate the pouring of multiple gels simultaneously. The methods and apparatus for immunoblotting are useful with any type of immunoblotting, including Western blot, Northern blot, and Southern blot analyses. These methods and apparatus provide safe, efficient and cost-effective immunoblots, while facilitating the reduction of exposure to toxic or radioactive materials, as well as the disposal of those materials.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis apparatus includes an electrophoresis zone having four edges defined by a plurality of electrodes. A pair of opposed edges are defined by groups of discrete electrodes. Discrete electrodes within each group are electrically isolated from each other while the other pair of opposed edges are used to generate an electrical field. As a result, the electrical field is less distorted than would be the case if each edge was defined by a single elongate electrode. The apparatus can be provided as a cassette with electrodes configured to guide gas generated during electrolysis out of the cassette through apertures, to reduce the build up of combustible gases.

Provided herein is an apparatus for gel electrophoresis comprising a cassette and a comb having at least one wedge-shaped tooth.

A precast gel and blotting membrane combination unit and method of use. The device includes two plates, each plate having a conductive opaque region with conductive polymers and a transparent region having static-dissipative polymers. Between the plates are a gel matrix and blotting membrane. The device is placed in a tank capable of both performing the electrophoresis phase and transfer phase of a western blot. During the electrophoresis phase, current flows from a pair of electrophoresis electrodes to separate proteins by size. The user can visualize the extent of protein separation by observing a tracking dye through the transparent region. After the electrophoresis phase, voltage is switched to a pair of transfer phase electrodes. The device allows current to flow through the conductive opaque regions of the plates to transfer separated proteins to a blotting membrane directly after electrophoresis without having to remove or reorient the device in the tank.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for separation of biomolecules via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, methods and apparatus for immunoblotting separated biomolecules, and methods for the use of biomolecules processed via the methods and apparatus of the present invention, including use in a clinical setting. The methods and apparatus for separation of biomolecules via two-dimensional gel comprises vertical agarose gel electrophoresis in the first dimension, and the electrophoresis of a novel non-denaturing 3-35% concave gradient polyacrylamide gel in the second dimension. This novel gel can be cast in a modified gel caster that can facilitate the pouring of multiple gels simultaneously. The methods and apparatus for immunoblotting are useful with any type of immunoblotting, including Western blot, Northern blot, and Southern blot analyzes. These methods and apparatus provide safe, efficient and cost-effective immunoblots, while facilitating the reduction of exposure to toxic or radioactive materials, as well as the disposal of those materials.