Abstract: Integrated microfluidic devices comprising at least an enrichment channel and a main electrophoretic flowpath are provided. In the subject integrated devices, the enrichment channel and the main electrophoretic flowpath are positioned so that waste fluid flows away from said main electrophoretic flowpath through a discharge outlet. The subject devices find use in a variety of electrophoretic applications, including clinical assays, high throughput screening for genomics and pharmaceutical applications, point-or-care in vitro diagnostics, molecular genetic analysis and nucleic acid diagnostics, cell separations, and bioresearch generally.

Abstract: To sequence DNA, DNA samples marked with flourscent infrared dye are applied at a plurality of locations for electrophoresing in a plurality of channels through a gel electrophoresis slab. The channels are scanned with a laser and a sensor, that include a microscope focused on the gel slab. The focal point and slab are adjusted with respect to each other so that the focal point of the microscope remains on the gel slab during a scan. The data from the scan is directly used to amplitude modulate density readings on a display, and the scan is displayed in a horizontal sweep of a cathode ray tube, whereby said cathode ray tube provides intensity displays of bands representing DNA. Different sizes of glass gel sandwiches may be mounted to the same console for different sequencing tasks.

Abstract: A microchip apparatus and method provide fluidic manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip liquid chromatography. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis is performed in channels formed in the substrate. Injections are made by electro-osmotically pumping sample through the injection channel that crosses the separation channel, followed by a switching of the potentials to force a plug into the separation channel.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus for capillary electrophoresis which is automated using conveyors which carry vials containing electrolytes and samples, a capillary contained in a modular, portable, and interchangeable cartridge, and actuators for bringing the capillary into flow communication with the fluids in the vials. Electropotential is applied to the ends of the capillary to cause electrophoretic separation. The cartridge may include an opening to allow detection of fluid in the capillary using a detector provided in the apparatus.

Abstract: A viscosity-adjustable medium for use in separation methods is described. In particular, a block copolymer composition is described which exists as a low viscosity solution at a temperature outside of the temperature range of electrophoresis and which self-assembles into a gel-like polymer network at electrophoresis operating temperatures. A system is described for conducting molecular separation in a capillary column using the viscosity-adjustable medium. In addition, a method is also described for separating charged molecules.

Abstract: This invention is an integrated instrument for high-capacity electrophoretic analysis of biopolymer samples. It comprises a specialized high-voltage, electrophoretic module in which the migration lanes are formed between a bottom plate and a plurality of etched grooves in a top plate, the module permitting concurrent separation of 80 or more separate samples. In thermal contact with the bottom plate is a thermal control module incorporating a plurality of Peltier heat transfer devices for the control of temperature and gradients in the electrophoretic medium. Fragments are detected by a transmission imaging spectrograph which simultaneously spatially focuses and spectrally resolves the detection region of all the migration lanes. The spectrograph comprises a transmission dispersion element and a CCD array to detect signals. Signal analysis comprises the steps of noise filtering, comparison in a configuration space with signal prototypes, and selection of the best prototype.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis method for resolving transferrin glycoforms in a sample is described. The capillary comprises a lumen, an inlet and an outlet. The lumenal surface of the capillary is charge-neutral and the capillary contains a buffer containing a polymeric matrix. The transferrin sample is contacted with the inlet of the capillary. A voltage is applied to the capillary such that the inlet is a cathode and the outlet is an anode and such that the voltage is effective for resolving transferrin glycoforms. A method for diagnosing chronic alcoholism or carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome using CE to resolve abnormal populations of transferrin glycoforms is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a novel apparatus and novel methods for the separtion, characterization, and manipulation of matter. In particular, the invention combines the use of frequency-dependent dielectric and conductive properties of particulate matter and solubilized matter with the properties of the suspending and transporting medium to discriminate and separate such matter. The apparatus includes a chamber having at least one electrode element and at least one inlet and one output port into which cells are introduced and removed from the chamber. Matter carried through the chamber in a fluid stream is then displaced within the fluid by a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force caused by the energized electrode. Following displacement within the fluid, matter travels through the chamber at velocities according to the velocity profile of the chamber. After the matter has transitted through the chamber, it exits at the opposite end of the chamber at a characteristic position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the electrophoretic separation of bio-organic molecules using a slab gel electrophoresis apparatus having a pair of spaced, confronting plates defining a multi-lane separation zone adapted to hold a separation medium and an upper loading zone. In one aspect of the invention, at least one of the plates is shaped to provide an expanded loading zone. The plate-to-plate distance within the expanded loading zone is greater than the plate-to-plate width within the separation zone. In another aspect of the invention, a comb is provided with each tooth having a gradual taper beginning at a support member and extending along most of the tooth's longitudinal axis, and a sharp taper beginning immediately beyond the gradual taper and extending to the end of the tooth.

Abstract: Particles are subjected to travelling wave field migration (TWFM) to migrate the particles over an array of microelectrodes. Altered particles are produced by treating original particles in such a way so as to alter their TWFM characteristics and the altered TWFM characteristics are employed for analysis and/or separation of the altered particles. The particles may be cells, bacteria, viruses, biomolecules or plastics microspheres. They may be altered by binding to a ligand such as a metal microparticle via a selective linking moiety such as an antibody/antigen or oligonucleic acid, or be physical or chemical treatments.

Abstract: A device is described for electrophoretic molecular separation. This device has a channel formed on a hydrophobic surface thereof. The interior surface of the channel is rendered hydrophilic through successive oxidation and protophilic reactions. A cover extends over the channel to form a conduit which is dimensioned to accept a molecular separation media. The conduit is also positioned for application of an electric current along the length of the interior of the conduit which drives a sample through the molecular separation media. Systems and methods are also described for electrophoretic molecular separation.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to improved methods, structures and systems for interfacing microfluidic devices with ancillary systems that are used in conjunction with such devices. These systems typically include control and monitoring systems for controlling the performance of the processes carried out within the device, e.g., controlling internal fluid transport and direction, monitoring and controlling environmental conditions and monitoring results of the processes performed, e.g., detection.

Abstract: A micro injector sample delivery system for charged molecules. The injector is used for collecting and delivering controlled amounts of charged molecule samples for subsequent analysis. The injector delivery system can be scaled to large numbers (>96) for sample delivery to massively parallel high throughput analysis systems. The essence of the injector system is an electric field controllable loading tip including a section of porous material. By applying the appropriate polarity bias potential to the injector tip, charged molecules will migrate into porous material, and by reversing the polarity bias potential the molecules are ejected or forced away from the tip. The invention has application for uptake of charged biological molecules (e.g. proteins, nucleic acids, polymers, etc.) for delivery to analytical systems, and can be used in automated sample delivery systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides for techniques for transporting materials using electrokinetic forces through the channels of a microfluidic system. The subject materials are transported in regions of high ionic concentration, next to spacer material regions of high ionic concentration, which are separated by spacer material regions of low ionic concentration. Such arrangements allow the materials to remain localized for the transport transit time to avoid mixing of the materials. Using these techniques, an electropipettor which is compatible with the microfluidic system is created so that materials can be easily introduced into the microfluidic system. The present invention also compensates for electrophoretic bias as materials are transported through the channels of the microfluidic system by splitting a channel into portions with positive and negative surface charges and a third electrode between the two portions, or by diffusion of the electrophoresing materials after transport along a channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading samples into a gel of an electrophoretic gel system (EGS). The preferred sample loader includes a membrane having a net negative charge, net neutral charge or no charge (preferably nitrocellulose or nylon) which releasably retains the samples such that the samples are actively released when the membrane is inserted into the gel of an EGS. In one preferred embodiment, the sample loader includes a substrate having a plurality of sample loading areas extending therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, the membrane is substantially thick and serves as its own substrate. In another embodiment, sample inhibiting agents such as hydrophobic ink are formed through the membrane to inhibit the diffusion of samples between sample loading areas. Each sample loading area includes an affixed membrane. In use, one or more samples to be subjected to electrophoretic action are applied to the membrane before the membrane is inserted into a previously polymerized gel.

Abstract: A sample holding device for electrophoresis apparatus according to the present invention wherein a plurality of sample holding capillaries are laid out in an array and are immobilized to the supporting jig. This sample holding device is configured to ensure the lower ends of the capillaries can contact the sample injection portion of the electrophoresis separation part of the electrophoresis apparatus, and provides easy sample injection and prevents the gel capillaries of the electrophoresis separation part from being damaged when sample holding capillaries are filled with gels, thereby allowing repeated use of the gel capillaries of the electrophoresis separation part.

Abstract: Methods for profiling oligosaccharides released from glycoproteins and methods for the electrophoretic separation of high mannose, complex and hybrid oligosaccharides are disclosed. The methods include first providing an analytical sample which includes at least one released oligosaccharide and introducing the sample into an electrophoretic channel containing a separation medium having a pH less than 8 and greater than 2.5. Then applying a sufficiently high electric field causes the released oligosaccharides to migrate and separate within the electrophoretic channel in accordance with their molecular size or charge to mass ratio. Detecting the separated oligosaccharides provides glycoprotein conjugate profiling information. Preferred embodiments include using a separation medium which includes lithium acetate buffer having a pH of about 4.75 and a gel of about 0.4% polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for detecting samples migrating in migration portions includes a plurality of gel separation portions separate from one another and having respective ends disposed along a straight line, a plurality of migration portions equal in number to the gel separation portions and disposed along a straight line following respective ones of the gel separation portions, a light source for generating light which passes through the migration portions, the light propagating along a straight line extending through all of the migration portions, a plurality of optical fibers having respective first ends and respective second ends, the first ends of the optical fibers being disposed facing respective points where the light from the light source passes through respective ones of the migration portions, the optical fibers being equal in number to or greater in number than the migration portions, and an optical detector optically coupled to the second ends of the optical fibers for receiving light fro

Abstract: A novel electrophoresis separation medium comprises polyacrylamide and a dioxane. An electrophoresis separation system comprises a separation channel, the separation channel including the novel separation medium. In a method for electrophoretically separating analytes by introducing analytes into a separation channel, an electric field is applied across the separation channel and the analytes are allowed to electrokinetically migrate within the separation medium. The separation channel comprises the novel electrophoresis separation medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides for techniques for transporting materials using electrokinetic forces through the channels of a microfluidic system. The subject materials are transported in regions of high ionic concentration, next to spacer material regions of high ionic concentration, which are separated by spacer material regions of low ionic concentration. Such arrangements allow the materials to remain localized for the transport transit time to avoid mixing of the materials. Using these techniques, an electropipettor which is compatible with the microfluidic system is created so that materials can be easily introduced into the microfluidic system. The present invention also compensates for electrophoretic bias as materials are transported through the channels of the microfluidic system by splitting a channel into portions with positive and negative surface charges and a third electrode between the two portions, or by diffusion of the electrophoresing materials after transport along a channel.