High-resolution electrophoresis (HRE) is routine electrophoresis using a high voltage. Serum samples separated with HRE may yield approximately fifteen distinct protein bands. Other HRE applications are the separation of CSF proteins for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and light chains in urine for early detection of lymphoproliferative disorders such as multiple myeloma. Both of these specimen separations require more resolution of proteins than routine protein electrophoresis can provide.
Increasing the voltage will increase the heat that is generated. A cooling system is included in HRE instrumentation to prevent the denaturation of proteins and drying out of gels and other system components.
