Apparatus for the elution of electrically charged macromolecules, in particular of biopolymers (nucleic acids and proteins).

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

In a known according to U.S. Patent No. 3,989,612 apparatus of this type is located between the electrode compartments, a gel-receiving space which is accessible from the electrode chambers through window. The gel receiving space can accommodate only a gel piece. The eluted, electrically charged macromolecules arrive in one of the electrode chambers and have in the electrolyte located there with a relatively low concentration. To replace the gel piece, the device must be disassembled into a plurality of parts. Corresponding features has a according to US-PS 4,₀49.534 known apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple device designed according to the preamble of claim 1 which is easy to handle, leading to a high yield of macromolecules, in particular biopolymers, in a relatively short time and practically requires no maintenance.

This object is specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

For handling of the device first to open the passage, and then fills the container with serving as a buffer electrolyte low concentration, then ensures that the electrolyte wets all surfaces with which it comes into contact, and, where justified for reasons of control electrodes to a test voltage to determine the electric current through the electrolyte. Then one lowers the electrolyte level to below the bottom of the bath located in the block and if necessary also to below the bottom of the seat as defined in Claim 2 shaped recess. Subsequently, the gel pieces are placed in the trays (eg, a piece of gel per tray) and raised the electrolyte level, to each gel piece is covered by the electrolyte. Subsequently, the salt solution of high concentration (optionally colored) in each of the channels used for elution and finally introduced locked the Elektrolytdurchlaß in the block.

Now, the electrolysis is performed by applying the voltage. The macromolecules migrate in the electric field from the gel slice addition, in the electrolyte in the ent-speaking channel and there in the high-salt solution. The walk can be optionally followed with parallel migratory dyes. The macromolecules, in particular biopolymers, focus on entering the high saline. The gel pieces are eluted, the voltage is switched off and open the Elektrolytdurchlaß. Then is lowered by electrolyte removal from the Elektrolytdurchlaß the electrolyte level again to below the bottom of the tub and, optionally, the seat shaped recesses and, pipetted out the salt solution with the located in their macromolecules, in particular biopolymers, from the channels. By entering the herauspipettierten salt solution in ethanol can be made in a known manner, the biopolymers (and in particular the nucleic acids).

It is particularly noteworthy that the biopolymers, in particular nucleic acids, are used in application of the device according to the invention only with materials and chemicals in contact with which they come during common operations already in contact.

Preparation technically particularly advantageous embodiments of the device are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings:<ul><li>Fig. 1 shows the device in perspective.</li><li>Fig. 2 shows a section along the line II-II in FIG. 1.</li><li>Fig. 3 shows a section along the line III-III in FIG. 1.</li></ul>

The apparatus according to the embodiment includes a container 2 for receiving a Ekeltrolyten which is divided by a block 4 having a lockable Elektrolytdurchlaß 6 in two, one electrode 8, 1o-containing electrode chambers 12, 14th In the surface of the block 4 six wells 16 are recessed for receiving a gel piece in a row next to each other. Each tub is three in its side wall next to their bottom 18 located first openings 2o connected to the electrode chamber 14 and which is integrated in its bottom 18 opening 22 with a first falling and then rising, leading into the electrode chamber 12 channel 24 for receiving the saline connected. Each channel consists of two V-shaped crashing straight sections 26, 28 which are drilled in the block. 4 In the present embodiment, the channel 24 opens out on the side of the electrode chamber 12 in the bottom 3o a seating recess 32 of the block.

The passage 6 passes under the bottoms 18 of the wells 16 and soil 3o of sitting recesses 32nd

In the block 4 is 34 admitted with an axial connection bore 5o from above the passageway 6 by releasing, rotatable tap member.

The container 2 is made of plastic glass. The electrodes 8, 1o are wires, the longitudinally opposing walls 36, 38 of the container on the ground 4o of the container 2 are laid and guided upward to external terminals 42, 44 extend next opposite positions of the upper edge of the container the second

The container is sealed with an attachable cover 46 which is provided on the underside with projections 48 which prevent its dislodgement against the container. 2