Technical improvement for the detection of erythropoietins in biological matrices: An update

The widely used method, based on isoelectrofocusing (IEF) and chemioluminiscent detection ([1,2] for the research of human recombinant erythropoietin (hrEPO) presents some complexity and is time consuming. In normal working time conditions, the detection is achieved after three working days. More recently the use of SDS-PAGE or Sarcosyl-PAGE electrophoresis has been added as a complementary method to the IEF procedure. This approach, which is the current “routine” analytical strategy, is still time consuming. In order to improve and accelerate the procedure for the detection of erythropoietin and its analogues, we have experienced a novel blotting system based on vacuum technology: the SNAP i.d. system from Millipore.