In Focus

IPGphor Isoelectroc Focusing System

Until recently, there have been a number of problems associated with immobilized pH gradient-isoelectric focusing (IPG-IEF) for 2-D electrophoresis. Numerous manipulations of the IPG strips introduce opportunity for contamination and shuffling of strips. In addition, focusing units typically require lengthy set-up and operation times of up to two days. Furthermore, special electrophoresis power supplies and temperature control systems can consume valuable bench space. In response, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech introduced the IPGphor Isoelectric Focusing System, designed to meet the demands of the growing fields of proteomics and high-resolution protein analysis. The system allows fast and simple first-dimension isoelectric focusing with resolution and reproducibility.

An IPGphor strip holder combines the steps of rehydration and focusing in a single chamber to reduce strip handling. The innovative strip holders, made of aluminum oxide ceramic with platinum electrodes at each end, can handle up to 12 IPG strips in lengths of...