This invention relates to the formation and use of a variable, multilayer system of discrete, discontinuous and nonsequential molecular sieves, comprising of agarose-acrylic gels of distinct composition. Each of the individual gel-layers of the system is designed according to partition and/or retardation coefficients for specific retention and therefore selective separation of selected molecules of different molecular sizes. The unique multilayer composite acrylic gel system of this invention makes it possible to separate micro- and macromolecules which differ in molecular weights by millions of daltons. So isolated any physically defined molecular groups are superiorly suitable for further chemical, physico-chemical or biological characterization.
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/410 942, filed Mar. 27, 1995 now abandoned, which, in turn, is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/271,038 filed Jul. 6, 1994 now abandoned, which, in turn, is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/074,847, filed Jun. 9, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,325, which, in turn, is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 07/627,084, filed Dec. 13, 1990 now abandoned.
