Rapid Washing of Agarose Immunoelectrophoresis Plates
by T. Bills, FIMLS (Lond), Section Chief, Hematology,
Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield,
Massachusetts
After immunoelectrophoresis of proteins, it often
is advantageous to stain the precipitin w i t h Ponceau
S. Before the staining is d o n e , the soluble, n o n precipitated protein has to be leached out of the
agarose gel by placing the film in 0.85% sodium
chloride for 24-48 hours. This is followed by another
wash in distilled water for four to eight hours to leach
out the salt and prevent crystallization during the
process of drying.
It is well known that time for wash can be decreased considerably if the solution is mixed by a
magnetci stirrer. O n e of the problems we had with
the stirrer was that the magnetic bar w o u l d damage
the agarose gel during the washing procedure.
To eliminate the danger of damage to the agarose
gel, we took a Bakelite cap, 3V2 in x Vi i n , from a
specimen jar, drilled Vi in diameter holes in the t o p ,
and routed holes in the side (Fig. 1). The cap was
placed in a one-liter beaker w i t h the magnet bar
underneath it. The electrophoresis plates sit on top
of the cap (Fig. 2).
This facilitates the rapid washing and eliminates
damage to the plates. Using this technique, w e wash
them in saline for six hours, changing the saline after
three hours, and wash in water for one hour,
enabling us to save at least one day in the procedure.
W e use a similar device for washing ANA slides.
Fig. 7. Left, bakelite specimen jar cap with
bored in top and routed in sides.
holes
Fig. 2. Above, the specimen jar cap is placed in the
stirrer over the magnetized bar. The
electrophoresis
plates are placed in the stirrer on top of the cap. HE
LABORATORY MEDICINE • VOL 8, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 1977
35