Effective mass screening may be accomplished by modifying existing electrophoretic equipment in conjunction with multisample applicator used with cellulose-acetate-matrix test paper. Using this method, approximately 20 to 25 samples can undergo electrophoresis in 5 to 6 minutes

Hirsch, I.

Reddick, J. M.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

April 1974
	
B73-10225 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Improved Design of Electrophoretic Equipment for 
Rapid Sickle-Cell-Anemia Screening 
.
The problem: 
Electrophoresis has played a major role in the 
discovery and the characterization of the different 
types of hemoglobins. Included among these is hemo-
globin S, the hemoglobin responsible for the sickling of 
red cells. The disease follows a Mendelian pattern, which 
could have a catastrophic effect on community health. 
6 in. 
(15 cm) 
Power-Supply 
Unit
	
11 in 
..._-\(28 cm) 
.
It is therefore desirable to perform continual mass 
screening for both the trait and the disease. Present 
electrophoretic methods, however, are too slow for 
effective mass screening. 
The solution: 
Effective mass screening may be accomplished by 
modifying existing electrophoretic equipment in con-
junction with a multisample applicator used with a 
cellulose-acetate-matrix test paper. Using this method, 
approximately 20 to 25 samples can undergo electro-
phoresis in 5 to 6 minutes. 
How it's done: 
The technique is a rapid progression of steps through 
(a) hemolysis, (b) the preparation of the cellulose-
acetate media, (c) the application of the hemolysate to 
these media, (d) the preparation of the electrophoretic 
cell, (e) a short electrophoretic run, and (I) the staining 
and destaining procedures to indicate the test results. 
Buffer 
Chamber 
Electrode
	 Bridge Support 
Electrode 
Buffer
3/8 in. (3.5 cm) 
Chamber	 Gap 
Plexiglass Electrophoretic Cell
(continued overleaf) 
• 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730000225 2020-03-17T07:11:38+00:00Z
-	 I 
The first step in the analysis is the preparation of the 
hemolysate. Whole blood is drawn from subject's finger 
and is collected in two 75- by 13-mm heparinized 
microhematocrit tubes. The tubes then are sealed with 
a hematocrit sealing clay and are centrifuged for 15 
seconds in microhematocrit centrifuge. Following centri-
fugation, both ampules are scored and broken in the 
clay area. Plasma in the segments, containing plasma 
and packed red blood cells, is discarded by either 
tilting the tubes or drawing the plasma with a syringe. 
The packed red blood cells are mixed for approximately 
15 seconds in 2 cm3
 of a 2-percent aqueous detergent 
solution to release the hemoglobin, making the samples 
ready for the test. 
A simplified diagram of the electrophoretic cell is 
shown in the figure. The cell electrodes are made of 
60 percent platinum and 40 percent rhodium and are 
connected to a 500-volt dc power source. The left and 
right chambers of the electrophoretic cell are separated 
by a distance of 3.5 cm and filled with a barbital buffer 
solution to a depth just sufficient to cover the electrode 
wires. The buffer solution has a pH factor of 8.8 and an 
ionic strength of 0.06, diluted with distilled water to 
I liter. The supporting media used in the tests are 
cellulose-acetate membranes, 50- by 100-mm strips. 
These strips are floated in the buffer solution until 
saturated. The strips then are blotted between two 
sheets of ordinary blotting paper and these moist strips 
then are ready to accept the samples.
The samples are applied to the moist strips by using 
an applicator designed specifically for multisample 
application. As many as 10 hemolysate samples can be 
applied simultaneously to one strip. The cellulose-
acetate strips with hemolysate samples then are placed 
on the supports of the cell, and electrophoresis is 
carried out at 500 volts for 5 minutes. Following 
electrophoresis, the strips are stained for 3 minutes in a 
0.5-percent solution of Ponceau S in 7.5 percent 
trichioroacetic acid. Destaining is accomplished in three 
rinses of 2 percent acetic acid. Then the strips are air 
dried on sheets of blotter paper and are examined. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
Code 207.1 
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 
Reference: TSP73-10225 
Patent status: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: Judy M. Reddick and

Irvin Hirsch of 
Howard University
under contract to

Goddard Space Flight Center

(GSC-1 1794)
S 
C 
B73-10225	 Category 02,05


Improved design of electrophoretic equipment for rapid sickle-cell-anemia screening

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server