Patent ID: 8088265

Claim:
A process for separating a cell type from a mixture of cell types by electrophoresis comprising: (a) providing a sample comprising between about 10 5 to about 10 10 cells/mL of a mixture of cell types to a first or second sample chamber of an electrophoresis apparatus, wherein said electrophoresis apparatus comprises a first electrolyte chamber; a second electrolyte chamber, a first sample chamber disposed between the first electrolyte chamber and the second electrolyte chamber; a second sample chamber disposed adjacent to the first sample chamber disposed and between the first electrolyte chamber and the second electrolyte chamber; a first ion-permeable membrane disposed between the first sample chamber and the second sample chamber; a second ion-permeable membrane disposed between the first electrolyte chamber and the first sample chamber; a third ion-permeable membrane disposed between the second sample chamber and the second electrolyte chamber; and the electrodes disposed in the first and second electrolyte chambers; and (b) applying an electric potential between the electrodes causing at least one cell type in the first sample chamber or the second sample chamber to move through the first ion-permeable membrane into the other of the first or second sample chamber wherein substantially all transmembrane migration of a desired cell type occurs upon the application of the electric potential.