A composite agarose–polyacrylamide matrix as two-dimensional hard support for solid-phase protein assays

The solid-phase protein assays using blotting membranes as hard support do not allow achieving the low background and sensitivity of protein staining in clear gels. The membrane opacity complicates imaging of results on standard lab documentation systems. We describe a low-cost transparent matrix that can be used as an alternative to polymeric membranes for solid-phase assays. Protein samples are spotted onto a dry film of composite agarose–polyacrylamide matrix covering standard glass microscopic slides. After rehydration in protein-fixing solution, matrix with protein samples can be detached from glass support and stained as conventional protein polyacrylamide gels.