Novel Methods for Controlling the Current During Isoelectric Focusing

While studying the effect of electrochemical reactions occurring at the electrodes on achievement of steady state in isoelectric focusing (IEF) we observed an abnormal increase of the current. Because the magnitude of the current determines the progress of IEF, knowledge gained from studies of its nature and generation may enable this effect to be controlled. We observed that addition of gelatin to the electrode solutions suppresses the magnitude of the current flowing through the system; this enables IEF to be performed under conditions closer to steady state, and steady state is achieved more quickly.