Features:

• IBI MIDI FlexTubes are typically used for the following applications: dialysis, gel extraction, electro-elution, and de-salting.
• The design of the FlexTube allows for easy loading and unloading with a standard pipette tip and screw-cap top.
• Multiple tubes can be placed in one buffer tank for high-throughput applications with minimal hands-on time.
• The FlexTube membrane is constructed of regenerated cellulose and is 18 - 42µm thick.
• The membrane dimensions for the MIDI FlexTube is 0.9 x 1cm.
• For the MIDI FlexTube, the minimum sample size is 0.5µg, the maximum gel slice is 1cm x 0.5cm, and the dialysis volume is 50-800µl.
• The MIDI FlexTube is offered with the following Molecular Weight Cut-Offs (MWCO): 1KDa, 3.5KDa, or 6-8KDa.

When used for dialysis or buffer exchange, the MIDI FlexTubes can be used with DNA, RNA, proteins, and Oligonucleotides (>15nt) for small volumes of 50-800µl. Simply load the sample into the tube with a standard pipette, load it into the FlexTube float, and place it in a stirred beaker of desired buffer. When used for gel extraction, the FlexTubes can be used with proteins, RNA, DNA, or oligonucleotides (>20nt) from polyacrylamide, agarose, or any other gel matrix in a running buffer. The tubes are ideal for protein-nucleic acid complexes and large size DNA fragments (>100Kb) from agarose or polyacrylamide gels. DNA recovery from polyacrylamide or agarose gels is typically greater than 90%. See the manual for more approximate times.

Isolation of proteins from a gel using the FlexTube delivers up to 70% recovery yield. After the protein gel extraction, the sample can remain in the tube for SDS removal*. The combination of SDS-PAGE, electro-elution with the FlexTube, and SDS removal buffer can give you a more accurate determination of a protein's molecular mass due to the high recovery yield and purity of the sample. This also results in a MALDI-MS analysis with greater sensitivity. The same FlexTube can also be used for Oligo PAGE Electro-Elution and De-Salting. This method is a vast improvement over the Diffusion Method, which is a lengthy overnight process that typically produces low yields. The FlexTube will allow the extraction of the protein from the gel followed by de-salting of the sample by dialysis in the same FlexTube. The easy-to-follow protocol will save you valuable lab time. IBI MIDI FlexTubes are tested by using them in the extraction of proteins, RNA, or DNA fragments of various sizes.