The protein electrophoresis separation experiment on shenzhou-iv spacecraft

This paper presents the space electrophoresis separation experiments and results by A3-2 continuous free-flow electrophoresis device that was flown on the Shenzhou -IV spacecraft in December 2002. The A3-2 device mounted into the returned capsule of Shenzhou -IV spacecraft is a low power separation system and operation by program control. It is used to separate two kind of colored model proteins, Hemoglobin and Cytochrome C. The A3-2 device consists of the electronic unit and electrophoresis separation unit. The electrophoresis separation process and results are obtained by monitoring on-line photoelectric detector and returning the separated products. The electrophoresis separation experiments on the Shenzhou -IV lasted an hour. All of the experimental data were obtained in the payload applied center on the ground. The separating products have got completely after landing of the returned capsule. The experimental data showed the A3-2 device worked well in the space. Both of the results, monitored on-line photoelectric detector and detected the separated products by using SP22 UV photometer, showed that the separation quality of proteins by continuous free flow electrophoresis technology is better in space microgravity environment than on the ground.