Historical Development, Design Features and Function of Electrophoresis Machine

Abstract

This paper tends to give insight into the historical development of the electrophoresis machine, its design development, and its function. Electrophoretic separation was first demonstrated in the year 1807 and has since been a staple tool used by biologists and chemists for more than a century since its inception. This paper reviews the evolution of electrophoresis technology and provides insight into the possible future development of electrophoresis in medical facilities. It is both exciting and equally perplexing to explore the promises that this seemingly simple separation technology used for the separation of genes and detection of proteins holds for the future. The development of electrophoresis from its first observation some 200 years ago via conventional gels for macromolecule separation and capillary electrophoresis (CE) to current stories centered around lab-on-chip. The most basic electrophoresis system consists of a chamber or cell, a membrane, an incubator or oven, and a power supply. The chamber contains two buffer compartments, one at each end of the chamber. A bridge between the two compartments supports a membrane, typically cellulose acetate or some type of gel.