Abstract: A system for detecting electromagnetic radiation from samples comprising: a plurality of sample volumes, each of said sample volumes confined within a portion of a capillary column; a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources; a mirror for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation sources and for reflecting the electromagnetic radiation to the sample volumes; a scanner attached to the mirror; a parabolic reflector for collecting sample electromagnetic radiation from the sample volumes, the sample electromagnetic radiation being generated as a result of interaction of the reflected electromagnetic radiation with the sample volumes; a plurality of filters for filtering the sample electromagnetic radiation; and a plurality of detectors for detecting sample electromagnetic radiation from the sample volumes, each of the detectors being configured to receive sample electromagnetic radiation that has passed through a corresponding one of the plurality of filters and generate a signa

Abstract: An analyte detection system utilizing a combination of fluorescent labels for labeling particles and an analyte specific fluorescent analyte detection dye. The particles contain a combination of fluorescent labels for coding the particles and an analyte specific fluorescent dye. The particles can be used to identify and quantify analytes in an analytical sample by reaction of the analytical sample with the particles. An analytical device can identify the particles according to the combination of fluorescent labels. The device can then correlate the identified particle with the analyte specific fluorescent analyte detection dye. Multiple subpopulations of particles can be used to identify and quantify multi-analytes in a single analytical sample. Near infrared (NIR) fluorescent labels useful in the detection system are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is a method of performing electrophoresis that increases sample throughput and increases the efficiency and speed of the analysis of polynucleotides by electrophoresis. The method is performed by loading and running multiple sequential samples on each capillary gel without flushing or replacing the gel between samples.

Abstract: An analyte detection system utilizing a combination of fluorescent labels for labeling particles and an analyte specific fluorescent analyte detection dye. The particles contain a combination of fluorescent labels for coding the particles and an analyte specific fluorescent dye. The particles can be used to identify and quantify analytes in an analytical sample by reaction of the analytical sample with the particles. An analytical device can identify the particles according to the combination of fluorescent labels. The device can then correlate the identified particle with the analyte specific fluorescent analyte detection dye. Multiple subpopulations of particles can be used to identify and quantify multi-analytes in a single analytical sample. Near infrared (NIR) fluorescent labels useful in the detection system are also provided.

Abstract: An analyte detection system utilizing a combination of fluorescent labels for labeling particles and an analyte specific fluorescent analyte detection dye. The particles contain a combination of fluorescent labels for coding the particles and an analyte specific fluorescent dye. The particles can be used to identify and quantify analytes in an analytical sample by reaction of the analytical sample with the particles. An analytical device can identify the particles according to the combination of fluorescent labels. The device can then correlate the identified particle with the analyte specific fluorescent analyte detection dye. Multiple subpopulations of particles can be used to identify and quantify multi-analytes in a single analytical sample. Near infrared (NIR) fluorescent labels useful in the detection system are also provided.

Abstract: A holder (10) is provided for securing a capillary (30) having a window section (28) including first and second edges (46) (48) to a mount (80). The holder (10) comprises a retaining surface (14) for securing the capillary (30) to the holder (10) and a mounting surface (18) for detachably securing the holder (10) to the mount (80). The retaining surface (14) is attached to the capillary (30) proximate to the opposed first and second edges (46), (48), with a portion of the window section (28) exposed. Since the capillary (30) is secured proximate the opposed first and second edges (46), (48), the fragile capillary window section (28) is protected during manufacturing or installation into an electrophoretic system (32). The retaining surface (14) preferably is sized and shaped to retain a plurality of capillaries (30) to allow for the substantially simultaneous testing of multiple capillaries (30).

Abstract: A detection system for sequentially and repetitively scanning a plurality of sample volumes and detecting electromagnetic radiation emitting from each of the sample volumes includes a plurality of coplanar side-by-side capillaries each containing a sample volume, an electromagnetic radiation source, a mirror aligned to receive and reflect electromagnetic radiation, a scanner for moving the mirror, and a detector aligned to receive electromagnetic radiation collected from the sample volumes. In operation, the scanner adjusts the mirror position so that the mirror is positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source and reflect the electromagnetic radiation sequentially and repetitively to the sample volumes. Emitted electromagnetic radiation from the sample volume is collected and directed to a detector where a signal is generated in response to the interaction of the electromagnetic radiation with the sample.

Abstract: A gel pump operated by a stepper motor may be used to deliver fresh gel to one or more capillaries through one or more manifolds and valves. By controlling the valves, fresh gel delivered by the pump will replace the old gel in the capillaries for an automated gel replacement system. In a different setting of the valves, the manifolds may be purged of the old gel prior to delivery of fresh gel to the capillaries. The gel delivery system may also be combined with an electrophoresis system so that sealing connection capable of withstanding high pressure adequate for gel injection need not be frequently broken when the gel is to be replaced. Manifold/reflector assembly is advantageously used in the system that facilitates electrical circuit for electrophoresis and for gel replacement.

Abstract: An electrophoretic system employing a capillary with at least one end having an electrically conductive coating or layer directly thereon. In order to introduce a plug of sample from a small amount of the sample in a vial, the conductive tip is submersed into the small amount of sample and an electric field is applied at the end by applying the high voltage to the tip in order to electrokinetically inject a plug of the sample. The conductive tip may also be used as a terminal for completing the circuit for applying the high voltage across the capillary column for electrophoresis. The separated components may be collected on a surface or small amount of buffer to reduce sample dilution or mixing of one sample component with a different sample component from the electrophoretic process.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for optically aligning a capillary tube and an excitation laser beam for fluorescence detection applications by utilizing the Raman scatter signals of the capillary tube's contents. For example, Raman scatter by an electrophoretic separation matrix may be used for alignment in a capillary electrophoresis system. Fluorescent material may be present and may also be used for alignment purposes, but is not necessary. The invention employs a parabolic reflector, having apertures through which the capillary tube and the laser beam are guided so that they intersect, preferably at right angles and at the focal point of the reflector. The Raman scatter signals of the material within the capillary tube are collected via a series of filters and this information is used to reposition, if necessary, a focusing lens that directs the excitation beam into the reflector and the capillary tube, so that the Raman scatter signals are maximized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are set for determining the centers of capillaries in a multicapillary electrophoresis array for subsequent rapid and efficient laser induced fluorescence interrogation. A galvometric scanner reflects the laser beam to scan the array during an alignment pre-scan. The beam interacts with the array to produce an intensity pattern indicative of the capillary centers. The scanner positions corresponding to the capillary centers determined during the pre-scan is recalled to direct the beam during the interrogation scan to the column centers.

Abstract: A simple device for collecting a greater amount of fluorescent emission from a minute sample in a capillary column. An axially symmetrical paraboloid reflector is implemented to collect fluorescent emission from the capillary column. The reflector also serves as a simple bracket for positioning and aligning the capillary column. Fluorescent emission is collimated by the paraboloid reflector which allows more effective use of band pass filters in blocking scattered radiation from detection. The scattered and transmitted radiation can be used to facilitate alignment of the capillary with respect to the detection optics. The paraboloid reflector also facilitates the implementation of simultaneous multiple-channel detection.

Abstract: A cross or T-shaped device is disclosed for use in capillary electrophoresis or capillary chromatography. The device includes a first capillary tube and a second capillary tube connected to the first tube at a point between the two ends of the first tube so that the contents flowing in the second tube will mix with a fluid flowing in the first tube. The two tubes enclose spaces with cross-sectional dimensions less than about 200 microns. The two tubes are connected so that there is substantially no dead space at the connection. The device is made by boring a hole at a selected location in the first tube, introducing an elongated guide member into the hole, threading the member into the second tube until the second tube contacts the first tube. The second tube is then permanently connected to the first tube and the guide member is then removed to form a T-shaped device.

Abstract: A method of positively deciphering a DNA sequence of a sample by comparing data of two electropherograms obtained from separate electrophoresis of products from two complete sequence reactions of the same sample, whereby dideoxynucleotide terminators of different but matched concentration ratios are employed for the two reactions. The sequencing chemistry is chosen to result in terminator-concentration dependent in peak intensity in the electropherograms. By appropriately choosing the matched concentration ratios of the terminators used in the two sequence reactions, ambiguities in the discrimination of the peaks in the result of one sequence reaction can be resolved by comparing the result of the other sequence reaction. The sequence of the sample can therefore be deciphered to a high degree of accuracy. For fluorescence detection of electrophoresis of the sequence reactions, three ddNTP terminators and one fluor are included in the sequencing chemistry of each reaction.

Abstract: In the capillary electrophoretic system, the components of a sample to be separated and detected are labelled by a radioactive material which emits gamma rays or beta particles with energy high enough to penetrate the electrolyte and the capillary tube. A semiconductor detector outside the tube and placed adjacent to the tube detects the gamma rays or beta particles in order to detect the presence of the components of the sample. A weaker radio-label may also be used in conjunction with scintillating material which is introduced together with the sample into the tube or through a different tube. Alternatively, the scintillating material may be placed inside the tube or made a part of the tube. The scintillating material emits light in response to radiation from the radio labels on the components of the sample to enable detection of the component.

Abstract: An apparatus xxx method of aligning a capillary with respect to a radiation source. More particularly, the capillary is aligned with a laser beam for laser induced fluorescence detection. The light reflection/scatter pattern of the laser beam originating from the capillary wall is utilized to determine optimum alignment. Photosensors may be implemented to detect the scatter pattern which represents optimum alignment. For dynamic alignment during electrophoresis, the photosensors provide feedback to a controller which controls a positioning mechanism for alignment of the capillary.

Abstract: A detection and quantification technique for radioisotope labeled components separated in a capillary separation channel. The section of the separation channel containing the separated components is significantly cooled to substantially eliminate diffusion of the components while detection is being carried out. The section can be frozen and autoradiography technique or solid state electronic imaging technique can be utilized to obtain an image representative of the relative amounts of separated components.