Batch processes, electrophoresis

Ultimately, however, it should be noted that these examples of classical gel electrophoretic separations are batch processes and therefore limited in sample throughput. To achieve true preparative-scale separations by electrophoresis, it becomes necessary to convert to continuous processes. 

Development of batch process in 1987, coupled with fluorescent dideoxy-terminator labeling on target DNA, has allowed determination of fluorescence-tagged DNA sequences, separated on high-resolution slab-gels and more recently separated by capillary electrophoresis. Both separation methods are capable of sequencing up to 700 bases for each reaction. The automated DNA sequencer can simultaneously process up to 100 samples at a time within 3 hours and generate data for 100 unique DNA sequences with about 600-700 bases each. 

Figure 8 Automated high-throughput RNA analysis by capillary electrophoresis. Typical batch processing profiles of a 96-well sample plate. Total RNA sample preparations from rice (traces 1-76 from top), arabidopsis (traces 77-95), and yeast (trace 96) 6 pL each in 96-well plate. Conditions 50-pm-i.d. capillary, =10 cm (L = 30 cm) sieving medium, 1% PVP (polyvinylpirrolidone, MW= 1.3 MDa), 4 M urea, 1 xTBE, 0.5 pM ethidium bromide =500 V/cm 25°C. RNA samples were diluted in deionized water and denatured at 65°C for 5 min prior to analysis. Sample tray was stored at 4°C in the CE instrument during processing. Injection vacuum (5 s at 3.44 kPa). Separation matrix was replaced after each run, 2 min at 551 kPa. (Reproduced with permission from Ref. 102.)...

CE is generally more suited to analytical separations than to preparative-scale separations. However, given the success of CE methods for chiral separations, it seems reasonable to explore the utility of preparative electrophoretic methods to chiral separations. Thus, the purpose of this work is to highlight some of the developments in the application of preparative electrophoresis to chiral separations. Both batch and continuous processes will be examined. 

For many years, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) methods have been used as an essential tool to determine the hydrodynamic size, monitor product purity, detect minor product or process-related impurities, and confirm batch-to-batch consistency of protein and antibody products. ITowever, gel-based techniques have several limitations, such as lack of automation, varying reproducibility, and a limited linear range. SDS-PAGE is also labor-intensive and generates large volume of toxic waste. Most importantly, the technique does not provide quantitative results for purity and impurity determination of proteins and antibodies. 

SO that in the second batch productivity was severely reduced and conversion yield was significantly lower even at prolonged operation. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis revealed that most of the desorbed protein had a molecular weight of 31,000 Da, which corresponds to that of Alcaligenes faecalis lipase. Most of the activity lost from batch to batch corresponded to protein desorption from the matrix, enzyme inactivation being quite low. Therefore, it made very little sense to use QLG instead of QL, but the free enzyme was not recoverable from the reaction medium and cost estimates indicated that the enzyme should be used at least five times to make the process economically attractive. Therefore, the next goal was to construct an immobilized lipase biocatalyst from soluble QL. The hydrophobic nature of the active site and the requirement of a hydrophobic interface for lipase action made reasonable to use hydrophobic supports however to test the validity of this hypothesis several immobilization systems were tested. The results obtained are summarized in... 

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