Electrophoretic purification of cells in space - Evaluation of results from STS-3

The procedure and results of Electrophoresis Equipment Verification Test, designed to examine electrophoretic behavior of animal cells is suspension more concentrated than possible on earth and flown on the Shuttle flight STS-3, were discussed. Ground-based laboratory values of electrophoretic mobilities of a mixture of human and rabbit aldehyde-fixed red blood cells (RBC) were compared with those recorded at 11 minute intervals on the Shuttle STS-3. RBC migration and separation observed through photographic records were not as expected. However, cell mobilities and migrating band profiles were consistent with the results of laboratory simulation experiments. It was concluded that zero G electrophoresis of very high concentrations (1 x 10 to the 9th) is possible and similar to electrophoresis of normal cell concentrations on earth.