Two-dimensional Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Two-dimensional and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Types of Electrophoresis There are numerous applications of electrophoresis. Routine protein electrophoresis performed in clinical laboratories is the oldest method and therefore the most frequently used method. With the advent of molecular diagnostics, several other electrophoresis methods have become very important, highly automated, and have several important applications.Types of electrophoresis that will be discussed are Routine electrophoresis High resolution electrophoresis Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis Capillary electrophoresis Isoelectric focusing Immunochemical electrophoresis Two-dimensional electrophoresis Pulsed field electrophoresis | View Page |
| IEF Advantages and Applications IEF's greatest advantage is its high resolution, resulting in greater separation of solutes. IEF of serum proteins results in many more bands; these bands are sharper because each pH region is very narrow. Performing IEF is easier because the placement of sample application is not important. The sample and ampholytes can be mixed before application; the ampholytes will migrate, create the gradient, and then the proteins separate and migrate.Some isoenzymes and variant hemoglobins in prenatal screening are separated with IEF. Detection of oligoclonal bands in gamma-globulin is a newer use of IEF. IEF is commonly used as one of the separations in two-dimensional electrophoresis. | View Page |
| Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis Two-dimensional electrophresis is separating the same sample with two distinct separation techniques or two different electrophoresis separations. The separated bands from one electrophoresis are resolved more with the second electrophoresis. IEF followed by PAGE or AGE is the most frequent two-dimensional electrophoresis. The gel from the IEF capillary is removed and placed across the PAGE or AGE gel slab at right angles for the second electrophoresis. If PAGE is used for the second electrophoresis, it is often PAGE with SDS.Two-dimensional electrophoresis can also be a single sample run on either agarose or polyacrylamide gels. The gel is then turned 90 degrees and the same type electrophoresis is run on the separated solutes to separate each band from the first run into more bands.The image below shows a two-dimensional electrophoresis separation of proteins which is IEF followed by PAGE with SDS. The proteins were first separated by IEF on a very narrow gel strip. This strip was then positioned at top of a polyacrylamide gel with SDS for the second electrophoresis. The IEF gel is the very narrow strip on top and remainder of the image is the many separated proteins on the PAGE with SDS. | View Page |
| Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis Advantages and Applications Because of the two separation processes, more information and separated solutes can be gained from a sample. The use of two-dimensional electrophoresis is specialized and most applications are in research fields. It is used to study families of proteins in the field of proteomics and protein content in different types of cells. It is also used extensively in genetics to study differences in diseases, gene mutations, and bacterial DNA. In an effort to find ways to detect malignancies earlier, two-dimensional electrophoresis is used to study tumor cells. | View Page |
| Currently there has been a revitalization in the clinical usage of electrophoresis. Previously, methods were primarily used to separate proteins in blood and other body fluids. From the following statements, select the statements that correctly describe newer applications of electrophoresis. | View Page |
| Labeled Probes Minute-size fractions achieved in two-dimensional electrophoresis, IEF and PAGE with SDS, and bands from electrophoresis of nucleic acids are detected differently than protein electrophoresis fractions. Labeled polypeptide probes are used to detect these proteins; labeled single-stranded nucleic acid fragments are used for the detection of nucleic acids. Each probe is made with a label designed to generate a detectable signal. The label is bound to a probe and a system is created such that the signal is visualized when the probe is bound to the target.The most common labels are radioactive isotopes and fluorescence dyes. Chemiluminescence and color or ultraviolet absorbance are also used. | View Page |
| Which statements below are correct descriptions of visualization and detection methods used in electrophoresis? | View Page |
| Resurgence of Electrophoresis Traditionally most clinical laboratory electrophoresis utilizes methods that separate and identify proteins in serum, urine, CSF, and some other body fluids. Most studies are for detecting serum protein abnormalities and gathering more information about gammopathies.In recent years, there has been a resurgence in electrophoresis use and methods. Development of automated methods has enhanced this. The evolution of numerous molecular diagnostic investigations and research in proteomics have also augmented electrophoresis.Applications of two-dimensional electrophoresis discussed the use of electrophoresis in proteomics. Electrophoresis and molecular diagnostics, blotting techniques, and current uses of CE in molecular diagnostics will be discussed now. | View Page |