Patent ID: 6995023

Claim:
A process for the preparation of a protein-containing biological sample for electrophoretic analysis of the protein composition of said sample, said process comprising: (a) contacting said sample with a solid dry composition comprising an electrophilic-activated fluorescent dye selected from the group consisting of 4,4-difluoro-5,7-diphenyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-propionic acid, succinimidyl ester, 4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-propionic acid, succinimidyl ester, and 6-(((4,4-difluoro-5-(2-pyrrolyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-yl)styryloxy)acetyl)aminohexanoic acid, succinimidyl ester, in the presence of a non-nucleophilic buffering agent and in the absence of organic solvents; and (b) while said sample is in contact with said solid dry composition, heating said sample to a non-boiling temperature of at least about 80° C. to cause said fluorescent dye to couple to said protein.