Apparatus for reading two-dimensional electrophoretograms containing. beta. -ray-emitting labeled compounds

Patent · Tue Apr 30 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5387529

Anderson, H L; Kinnison, W W; Lillberg, J W

An apparatus and method for electronically reading planar two-dimensional ..beta..-ray emitter-labeled gel electrophoretograms. A single, flat rectangular multiwire proportional chamber is placed in close proximity to the gel and the assembly placed in an intense uniform magnetic field disposed in a perpendicular manner to the rectangular face of the proportional chamber. Beta rays emitted in the direction of the proportional chamber are caused to execute helical motions which substantially preserve knowledge the coordinates of their origin in the gel. Perpendicularly oriented, parallel wire, parallel plane cathodes electronically sense the location of the ..beta..-rays from ionization generated thereby in a detection gas coupled with an electron avalanche effect resulting from the action of a parallel wire anode located therebetween. A scintillator permits the present apparatus to be rendered insensitive when signals are generated from cosmic rays incident on the proportional chamber. Resolution for concentrations of radioactive compounds in the gel exceeds 700-..mu..m. The apparatus and method of the present invention represent a significant improvement over conventional autoradiographic techniques in dynamic range, linearity and sensitivity of data collection. A concentration and position map for gel electrophoretograms having significant concentrations of labeled compounds and/or highly radioactive labeling nuclides can generally be obtained in less than one hour.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: DE86013865
• OSTI ID: 5387529
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440101* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ANTICOINCIDENCE
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ELECTROPHORESIS
ISOTOPES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MULTIWIRE PROPORTIONAL CHAMBERS
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIOISOTOPES
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
USES