STABLE-FLOW FREE-BOUNDARY MIGRATION AND FRACTIONATION OF CELL MIXTURES: SEDIMENTATION AND ELECTROPHORESIS

Technical Report · Wed Jan 23 04:00:00 EST 1963

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4726817· OSTI ID:4726817

Mel, H. C.

A number of analytical and preparative problems of complex biological mixtures, requiring speed and mildness of handling, large capacity, and high resolution, can be advantageously attacked by the stable-flow free boundary (STAFLO) method. Experimental and theoretical aspects of STAFLO migration, fractionation, and concentration are analyzed, with particular reference to cell mixtures. Combination gradient profiles of composition, conductivity, pH, etc., can be established almost arbitrarily in a steady-state manner, without the usual gradient mixing devices. The solution to the basic problem of stabilizing flows, without the use of an anticonvective supporting medium, is described in detail. Migration principles, especially for sedimentation and electrophoresis are classified as rate, or equilibrium, and the known and unknown elements of several examined. A simplified Stokes-type treatment is sufficient for semiquantitative description of individual cell sedimentation under 1 g, including calculation of resolution and separation time. A kind of experimental cell behavior called bombing'' is discussed in terms of weak intercellular interaction. Analysis of STAFLO-electrophoresis and STAFLO-sedimentation-electrophoresis in terms of flow, heat production, and other parameters, indicates the basis for preparative cell fractionation, with steady-state times generally of from 2 to 60 minutes. An immediate possibility from such studies is the characterization of cells in mixtures according to sedimentation and electrophoretic mobilities; these latter must eventually be more unequivocally related to cell density'', size'', surface charge and other physical properties. Such relations require more detailed knowledge of cell and solution theory and perhaps better definitions of these properties when applied to cells. As an analytical example of instantaneous determination of a time-dependent transport property, an electrophoretic mobility of a dye is estimated from the slope of a steadystate STAFLO-electrophoresis, migration pattern. (auth)

• Research Organization: California. Univ., Berkeley. Lawrence Radiation Lab. and California. Univ., Berkeley. Donner Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• NSA Number: NSA-17-019751
• OSTI ID: 4726817
• Report Number(s): UCRL-10640
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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