Methods, articles and kits for labeling polymer gels

Abstract

The invention provides methods, apparatus and kits for integrally labeling polymeric gels, such as polyacrylamide and agarose gels, with indicia that can serve, inter alia, unambiguously to identify the individual gel, using polymeric film labeled with detectable indicia and coated with materials that bond to the gel matrix as the gel polymerizes.

1 - 72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . An electrophoresis gel comprising a detectable indicia wherein the detectable indicia are bonded to the electrophoresis gel during polymerization of the electrophoresis gel. 
     
     
         74 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 73 , wherein the indicia are on a polymeric film comprising a polymer, or is a laminate at least one layer of which consists essentially of a polymer, selected from the group consisting of polyester, mylar, polymethylpentene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, styreneacrylonitrile copolymers, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate proprionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, nitrile-acrylonitrilesty-rene copolymers, polyacrylate, polyterephthalate, polymethacrylate, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. 
     
     
         75 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 74 , wherein the polymeric film is substantially transparent to visible light. 
     
     
         76 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 74 , wherein the polymeric film bonds directly to the gel. 
     
     
         77 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 74 , wherein the polymeric film bonds to the gel indirectly through a coating disposed between the polymeric film and the gel. 
     
     
         78 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 77 , wherein the coating consists essentially of a hydrophilic resin. 
     
     
         79 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 73 , wherein the indicia are detectable before electrophoresis. 
     
     
         80 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 73 , wherein the indicia are detectable upon epiillumination. 
     
     
         81 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 73 , wherein the indicia are detectable upon transillumination. 
     
     
         82 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 73 , wherein the indicia are capable of fluorescing. 
     
     
         83 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 73 , wherein the indicia are capable of chemiluminescing. 
     
     
         84 . The electrophoresis gel of  claim 73 , wherein the indicia contain ligands that are capable of binding detectable reagents. 
     
     
         85 . A polymer gel labeled with detectable indicia, comprising: a polymer gel; and a polymeric film having detectable indicia, wherein the polymeric film is bonded to the polymer gel and the indicia are detectable with the film so bonded. 
     
     
         86 . The polymer gel of  claim 85 , wherein the gel is a polyacrylamide gel. 
     
     
         87 . The polymer gel of  claim 85 , wherein the gel is an agarose gel. 
     
     
         88 . The polymer gel of  claim 85 , wherein the polymeric film consists essentially of a polymer, or is a laminate at least one layer of which consists essentially of a polymer, selected from the group consisting of polyester, mylar, polymethylpentene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, styreneacrylonitrile copolymers, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate proprionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, nitrile-acrylonitrilestyrene copolymers, polyacrylate, polyterephthalate, polymethacrylate, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. 
     
     
         89 . The polymer gel of  claim 85 , wherein the polymeric film is substantially transparent to visible light. 
     
     
         90 . The polymer gel of  claim 85 , wherein the polymeric film is bonded directly to the gel. 
     
     
         91 . The labeled polymer gel of  claim 85 , wherein the polymeric film is bonded to the gel indirectly through a coating disposed between the polymeric film and the gel. 
     
     
         92 . The labeled polymer gel of  claim 91 , wherein the coating consists essentially of a hydrophilic resin. 
     
     
         93 . The labeled polymer gel of  claim 85 , wherein the indicia are detectable before electrophoresis. 
     
     
         94 . The labeled polymer gel of  claim 85 , wherein the indicia are detectable after electrophoresis.