Towards high performance two-dimensional gel electrophoresis using ultrazoom gels

Proteomics is the analysis of protein expression in cells or tissues, e.g., to study cellular processes at the molecular level. Ultimately, a proteome analysis should encompass most if not all protein species in a biological sample, including those present in low copy numbers. We are developing two- dimensional gel electrophoresis technology by applying narrow pH range ultr azoom gels to enhance resolution and to improve the detection of low abunda nce proteins. Ultrazoom gels in the acidic pH range allow the detection of proteins down to 300 copies per cell of a B-lymphoma cell line. Protein sep aration in the alkaline pH range, however, still requires optimization, esp ecially in conjunction with high sample loads.