Continuous Separation of Proteins in Electrical Split-Flow Thin (SPLITT) Cell with Equilibrium Operation

Abstract The continuous separation of charged species in an electrical split-flow thin (SPLITT) cell is described. By operating the electrical SPLITT system in an equilibrium mode at a solution pH lying between the isoelectric points of two proteins, a mechanism is available for the rapid and complete separation of the proteins. The theoretical conditions necessary for such a separation are established. The apparatus constructed to test this concept is described. Preliminary experimental results are reported for several proteins, and the complete resolution of a binary mixture of ferritin and cytochrome C is demonstrated.