Electrophoresis gels with incorporated indicia

Abstract

PATENT An electrophoresis gel is prepared with indicia incorporated into the gel itself rather than on a label or backing that is adhered to the gel. According to one method, the indicia are applied by first coating a solid surface that will be used as one internal surface of a gel mold with a solution of a water-permeable polymer, allowing the coating to dry, imprinting indicia in ink on the dry coating, and then forming the gel over the coating. In a variation on this method, the indicia are applied to a sheet which is then placed against the mold surface, the sheet being either a liner that is separable from the gel yet coated with the polymer or a sheet of the polymer itself. Alternatively, the indicia are printed directly on the mold surface without first coating the surface. This is achieved by using as a printing composition a mixture of an ink and a solution of a water-permeable polymer, then forming the gel over the imprinted indicia.

1 - 48 . (canceled)  
   
   
       1 . A kit for applying indicia to an electrophoresis gel, said kit comprising: 
 a solid flexible sheet having a coating of a water-permeable polymer on one side, said polymer being one that is capable of receiving ink but is not bonded to said sheet; and    an ink that is capable of being retained by said polymer.    
   
   
       2 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1  in which said solid flexible sheet has first and second sides, said coating of water-permeable polymer is on said first side and said second side is coated with an adhesive that will adhere said sheet to a glass or plastic plate.  
   
   
       3 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1  in which said solid flexible sheet has first and second sides, said coating of water-permeable polymer is on said first side and said second side is not coated with an adhesive that will adhere said sheet to a glass or plastic plate.  
   
   
       4 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1  in which said water-permeable polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of linear polyacrylamide, linear polyacrylamide derivatives, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene oxide), dextrans, water-soluble celluloses, starch, and agarose.  
   
   
       5 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1  in which said water-permeable polymer is linear polyacrylamide.  
   
   
       6 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1  in which said ink is a visible pigment.  
   
   
       7 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1  in which said ink is a fluorescent dye.  
   
   
       8 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1  in which said ink is an ultraviolet dye.  
   
   
       9 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1  in which said ink is a luminescent dye.  
   
   
       10 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1  in which said ink is contained in a writing implement.  
   
   
       11 . A kit for applying indicia to an electrophoresis gel, said kit comprising: 
 a solid water-soluble polymeric sheet that is capable of receiving ink; and    an ink that is capable of being retained by said sheet.    
   
   
       12 . A kit in accordance with  claim 11  in which said water-soluble polymeric sheet comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of linear polyacrylamide, linear polyacrylamide derivatives, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene oxide), dextrans, water-soluble celluloses, starch, and agarose.  
   
   
       13 . A kit in accordance with  claim 12  in which said polymer is linear polyacrylamide.  
   
   
       14 . A kit in accordance with  claim 11  in which said ink is a visible pigment.  
   
   
       15 . A kit in accordance with  claim 11  in which said ink is a fluorescent dye.  
   
   
       16 . A kit in accordance with  claim 11  in which said ink is an ultraviolet dye.  
   
   
       17 . A kit in accordance with  claim 11  in which said ink is a luminescent dye.  
   
   
       18 . A gel marking combination comprising: 
 an ink composition comprising a pigment dispersed in a solution of a water-soluble polymer in a solvent, and    a writing implement capable of retaining said ink composition and of depositing said ink composition on a solid surface upon contact.    
   
   
       19 . A gel marking combination in accordance with  claim 18  in which said pigment is a pigment that when dry is insoluble in a polyacrylamide gel.  
   
   
       20 . A gel marking combination in accordance with  claim 18  in which said pigment is a visible pigment.  
   
   
       21 . A gel marking combination in accordance with  claim 18  in which said pigment is a fluorescent dye.  
   
   
       22 . A gel marking combination in accordance with  claim 18  in which said pigment is an ultraviolet dye.  
   
   
       23 . A gel marking combination in accordance with  claim 18  in which said pigment is a luminescent dye.  
   
   
       24 . A gel marking combination in accordance with  claim 18  in which said water-soluble polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of linear polyacrylamide, linear polyacrylamide derivatives, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene oxide), dextrans, water-soluble celluloses, starch, and agarose.  
   
   
       25 . A gel marking combination in accordance with  claim 18  in which said water-soluble polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of linear polyacrylamide, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene oxide), dextran, water-soluble celluloses, starch, and agarose.  
   
   
       26 . A gel marking combination in accordance with  claim 18  in which said water-soluble polymer is linear polyacrylamide.