Comparison of non-electrophoresis grade with electrophoresis grade BIS in NIPAM polymer gel preparation

INTRODUCTION The main objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of replacing electrophoresis cross-linker with non-electrophoresis N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) in N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) polymer gel and its possible effect on dose response. METHODS NIPAM polymer gel was prepared from non-electrophoresis grade BIS and the relaxation rate (R2) was measured by MR imaging after exposing the gel to gamma radiation from Co-60 source. To compare the response of this gel with the one that contains electrophoresis grade BIS, two sets of NIPAM gel were prepared using electrophoresis and non-electrophoresis BIS and irradiated to different gamma doses. RESULTS It was found that the dose-response of NIPAM gel made from the non-electrophoresis grade BIS is coincident with that of electrophoresis grade BIS. CONCLUSION Taken all, it can be concluded that the non-electrophoresis grade BIS not only is a suitable alternative for the electrophoresis grade BIS but also reduces the cost of gel due to its lower price.