Differentiation of Diffusing Proteins according to their Geometrical Patterns

Abstract

THIS communication draws attention to a phenomenon which appears in the simultaneous diffusion of two different reactants from two sources, if the diffusing substance reacts with the medium to form a precipitate. We have previously shown^1,2 that when two diffusion processes of one reactant take place simultaneously they may interfere and produce crossing or coupling phenomena, which manifest themselves in an altered rate of diffusion. It was concluded that the mobility of each diffusing reactant depends on the other concentration gradient as well as on its own. These effects can be described mathematically by adding to Fick's Law a term proportional to the other concentration gradient. Where two non-identical reactants are involved it is possible that the rate of diffusion in the area between the diffusing sources will increase with one and decrease with the other diffusing reactant. These different rates of diffusion result in different geometry of the precipitation patterns, and from these geometrical patterns it is possible to conclude whether the diffusing reactants are identical or not.