Abstract: Systems and methods of manipulating discrete volumes of a first fluid in a second fluid are provided. In some embodiments, discrete volumes can be formed in a conduit. In other embodiments, addition fluid can be added to a discrete volume in a first conduit by injecting the addition fluid at a relatively higher pressure. In some embodiments, discrete volumes that normally would not coalesce can be manipulated to be merged together.

Abstract: A polyelectrolyte-coated particle, devices for using the particle, methods for using the particle for separating PCR reaction products and/or DNA sequencing reaction products, and compositions for coating the particle are provided.

Abstract: A polyelectrolyte-coated particle, devices for using the particle, methods for using the particle for separating PCR reaction products and/or DNA sequencing reaction products, and compositions for coating the particle are provided.

Abstract: Methods for reducing peak broadening associated with the establishment of a run field in a capillary electrophoresis process, and apparatus useful for carrying out such methods, are described. Such methods include defining a maximum ramp rate to be used during an initial electric field ramp, defining a minimum period over which the run field is established, and/or maintaining a temperature of a separation medium to within certain ranges during the initial electric field ramp. In addition, methods for determining a ramp rate effective for reducing peak broadening are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for reducing peak broadening associated with the establishment of a run field in a capillary electrophoresis process, and apparatus useful for carrying out such methods, are described. Such methods include defining a maximum ramp rate to be used during an initial electric field ramp, defining a minimum period over which the run field is established, and/or maintaining a temperature of a separation medium to within certain ranges during the initial electric field ramp. In addition, methods for determining a ramp rate effective for reducing peak broadening are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for reducing peak broadening associated with the establishment of a run field in a capillary electrophoresis process, and apparatus useful for carrying out such methods, are described. Such methods include defining a maximum ramp rate to be used during an initial electric field ramp, defining a minimum period over which the run field is established, and/or maintaining a temperature of a separation medium to within certain ranges during the initial electric field ramp. In addition, methods for determining a ramp rate effective for reducing peak broadening are disclosed.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis system and method of electrokinetically loading a capillary electrophoresis sample into a separation medium in a capillary tube in which an entangled polymer matrix is formed having the sample embedded therein. The matrix has a mesh size effective to retard movement of macromolecules such as DNA sequencing templates through the matrix when an electric field is applied across the matrix. The entangled polymer matrix is formed by a linear polymer having a molecular weight of at least 20K Daltons. Furthermore, the invention includes stable denaturants useful for the electrophoresis of nucleic acids.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis system and method of electrokinetically loading a capillary electrophoresis sample into a separation medium in a capillary tube in which an entangled polymer matrix is formed having the sample embedded therein. The matrix has a mesh size effective to retard movement of macromolecules such as DNA sequencing templates through the matrix when an electric field is applied across the matrix. The entangled polymer matrix is formed by a linear polymer having a molecular weight of at least 20K Daltons. Furthermore, the invention includes stable denaturants useful for the electrophoresis of nucleic acids.

Abstract: An electrophoresis separation medium is disclosed comprising a matrix of a copolymer composed of a linear hydrophilic polymer segment having a selected substantially uniform segment length and hydrophobic polymer segments carried on each end. Also disclosed is an electrophoresis method employing the separation medium which permits high resolution separation of polynucleotides, especially in DNA sequencing operations.

Abstract: A viscous electrophoresis separation medium is disclosed. The medium is formed by a matrix formed by a copolymer composed of hydrophilic polymer segments having selected, substantially uniform segment lengths, and a plurality of hydrophobic polymer segments carried on, and spaced from one another by the hydrophilic polymer segments. Also disclosed is an electrophoresis method which employs the separation medium, and novel copolymers used in forming the medium.