Characterization of electrophoretic sample transfer from a capillary to an ultrathin slab gel

Improving resolution for channel-format chip-based electrophoresis with electrochemical array detection

Resolution in channel electrophoresis has been improved by means of the addition of a surfactant to the running buffer and minimization of the channel internal height and sampling capillary internal diameter. Micellar electrokinetic channel chromatography with electrochemical detection has been applied to the separation of several cationic catecholamines and has been used to continuously monitor a dynamic system of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Resolution was also enhanced by coupling small internal-diameter (5 microm) sampling capillaries with sub-micrometer internal-height separation channels. The improvements in resolution offered by these methods will extend the applicability of channel electrophoresis with electrochemical detection to more complex samples while permitting sample volumes in the nL range to be probed.

DNA separations in microfabricated devices with automated capillary sample introduction

A novel method is presented for automated injection of DNA samples into microfabricated separation devices via capillary electrophoresis. A single capillary is used to electrokinetically inject discrete plugs of DNA into an array of separation lanes on a glass chip. A computer-controlled micromanipulator is used to automate this injection process and to repeat injections into five parallel lanes several times over the course of the experiment. After separation, labeled DNA samples are detected by laser-induced fluorescence. Five serial separations of 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM)-labeled oligonucleotides in five parallel lanes are shown, resulting in the analysis of 25 samples in 25 min. It is estimated that approximately 550 separations of these same oligonucleotides could be performed in one hour by increasing the number of lanes to 37 and optimizing the rate of the manipulator movement. Capillary sample introduction into chips allows parallel separations to be continuously performed in serial, yielding high throughput and minimal need for operator intervention.