Abstract: A technique processes a sample of biomolecular analyte. The technique uses an apparatus having a support assembly that receives and supports a test module, a load assembly that loads the sample of biomolecular analyte onto the test module, an electrophoresis assembly that applies a current to the test module such that components within the sample separate by electrophoresis, and a controller that controls operations of the load assembly and the electrophoresis assembly. The load assembly and the electrophoresis assembly are coupled to the support assembly. The controller controls the operation of the load assembly in an automated manner. Preferably, the test module includes a dielectric plate member having an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface that is spaced apart from and coplanar with the upper planar surface. The dielectric plate member has at least one set of channels that includes an injection channel and a separation channel.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for performing highly sensitive enzyme-amplified assays using channel electrophoresis of an enzyme having a biorecognition moiety. Combining a binding reaction of an analyte and an enzyme having a biorecognition moiety, and an electrophoretic separation which uses enzyme-amplified detection methodology, assay methods and apparatus are provided that offer simplicity, quantitative sensitivity and rapid analysis. Also disclosed are highly sensitive catalytically-amplified assays using a capillary electrophoresis format in which the binding reaction prior to electrophoresis is heterogeneous or homogeneous, and direct or competitive. The methods and apparatus for conducting sensitive automated catalytically-amplified assays using electrophoresis may be conducted in a microscale format.

Abstract: A coated microcapillary column for high performance electrophoresis is disclosed. A preferred microcapillary includes a column; a universal sub-layer of coating material that has been highly crosslinked using a crosslinking agent and attached covalently or non-covalently to the column wall; and a variable top layer of a monomer or polymer, preferably crosslinked, attached to the sub-layer. The microcapillary preferably is prepared by covalently bonding a highly crosslinked siloxanediol sub-layer to the inner surface of the microcapillary wall and then causing a mixture of monomers or polymers to react in the bore of the microcapillary to form a top layer. The bilayer coating as used in a microcapillary prevents adsorption of solutes during electrophoresis and eliminates or controls electroosmotic flow. The disclosed coating may also be formed on other kinds of surfaces where similar surface modification is desired.