Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for moving charged molecules through a medium by the application of a plurality of electrical fields of sufficient strength and applied for sufficient amounts of time so as to move the charged molecules through the medium. The devices although preferably small in size, preferably generate large numbers (100 or more) of electrical fields to a movement area which preferably contains a liquid buffered or gel medium. Mixtures of charged molecules are pulled through the gel by the force of the electrical fields. The fields are preferably activated simultaneously or sequentially one after another at various speeds to create complex force field distributions or moving field waves along the separation medium. Charged molecules capable of moving quickly through the gel will be moved along by the faster moving field waves and be separated from slower moving molecules.

Abstract: Capillary electrophoresis is performed under conventional conditions in microchannels having a norbornene based polymer surface. The norbornene based polymers can be used as a solid substrate for forming the necessary features for a microfluidic device, where the entire device may be made of norbornene based polymer. Conveniently, a norbornene based polymer layer having a lower glass transition temperature may be used to adhere a cover or enclosing layer to the substrate to enclose the microchannels and provide a bottom for the reservoirs.

Abstract: A drain joint of a pump block is opened, a piston (19a) is pushed while a piston (13a) is fixed, for charging a passage between a Luer-Lok joint (17) and an intersection part as well as a passage between the intersection part and the drain joint with a buffer. Thereafter the piston (13a) is pushed while the piston (19a) is fixed, to charge a passage (7a) with a polymer. Then, the drain joint is closed, the piston (13a) is pushed and the piston (19a) is pulled in response to the amount of pushing, for charging the passage between the intersection point and the Luer-Lok joint (17) with the polymer. Thereafter, the piston (13a) is pushed while the piston (19a) is fixed, to charge a capillary column with the polymer.

Abstract: Process for the selective separation of electrically charged target molecules in an analytical mixture by means of capillary affinity gel electrophoresis, using a capillary tube which is at least partly filled with a polymer gel, whereby receptors for target molecules are covalently bound to the polymer, and an electric field of at least 50 volts/cm is applied, characterized in that (a) the capillary tube is charged with the analytical mixture, (b) in a first separation stage the target molecules in the analytical mixture are bound to the receptors and the remaining components are eluted, optionally while splitting open, and (c) in a second stage of the process the elution conditions are changed, optionally in stages, so that the affinity of the target molecules for the receptor is eliminated and the target molecules are eluted and detected, optionally whilst splitting open.

Abstract: A table is used to position eight specimen reservoirs of an electrophoretic chip into which a specimen is firstly dispensed to a specimen dispensing position. A specimen dispensing mechanism is used to move a head to thereby suck a test-specimen contained in eight different wells of specimen plates into eight nozzles respectively and then move the head to the specimen dispensing position, thus dispensing the test-specimen sucked into the nozzles into the specimen reservoirs simultaneously. The table is used to sequentially position the specimen reservoirs to the specimen dispensing position and then the specimen dispensing mechanism is used to sequentially dispensing the specimen into the specimen reservoirs.

Abstract: An automated electrophoretic system is disclosed. The system employs a capillary cartridge having a plurality of capillary tubes. The cartridge has a first array of capillary ends projecting from one side of a plate. The first array of capillary ends are spaced apart in substantially the same manner as the wells of a microtitre tray of standard size. This allows one to simultaneously perform capillary electrophoresis on samples present in each of the wells of the tray. The system includes a stacked, dual carrousel arrangement to eliminate cross-contamination resulting from reuse of the same buffer tray on consecutive executions from electrophoresis. The system also has a gel delivery module containing a gel syringe/a stepper motor or a high pressure chamber with a pump to quickly and uniformly deliver gel through the capillary tubes. The system further includes a multi-wavelength beam generator to generate a laser beam which produces a beam with a wide range of wavelengths.

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: Devices, systems and methods for use in separating sample materials into different fractions that employ bulk fluid flow for loading of samples followed by electrophoretic separation of the sample material. Devices employ configurations that optionally allow bulk sample loading with some or no displacement of a separation matrix within a separation conduit. Methods of using these devices, and systems that incorporate these devices are also envisioned.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrophoretic support comprising washing of at least a portion of the surface of a silicon-containing support member supporting an electrophoretic matrix with a weak alkali solution and supporting of said matrix by said support member; an electrophoretic gel comprising a polyacrylamide polymer obtained by polymerizing acrylamide or a derivative thereof in the presence of two or more polar organic solvents; a method of electrophoresis employing a gel prepared by said preparation method; and a method of electrophoresis employing said electrophoretic gel.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for performing capillary electrophoresis using a composition comprising in combination in an aqueous buffered medium a coating polymer and a sieving polymer, where the sieving polymer is more hydrophilic than the coating polymer and is present in greater amount. Of particular interest are uncrosslinked acrylamide polymer mixtures for coating plastic channels and providing sieving for performing DNA separations in microfluidic devices. Polyacrylamide or N,N-dimethyl acrylamide is used with a N,N-dialkyl acrylamide copolymer, either separately or together for sieving and coating, serving as the medium in capillary electrophoresis DNA separations.

Abstract: A microelectrophoresis chip comprises a substrate in which there are formed one or more channels, one channel for each sample to be evaluated. The channels extend for the length of the chip, a distance of generally around 1 cm, and are about 1 to 10 &mgr;m wide and 1 to 10 &mgr;m in depth. The channels are filed with a homogeneous separation matrix which acts as an obstacle to the electrophoretic migration of the charged molecules. Microelectrodes disposed in the channels are used to induce an electric filed within the homogeneous separation medium. When a voltage is applied across two or more of the microelectrodes, the charged molecules are induced to move and separate according to the electric field density, the type of solvent film, and the charge, shape and size of the charged molecule.

Abstract: An automated capillary zone electrophoretic system is disclosed. The system employs a capillary cartridge having a plurality of capillary tubes. The cartridge has a first array of capillary ends projecting from one side of a plate. The first array of capillary ends are spaced apart in substantially the same manner as the wells of a microtitre tray of standard size. This allows one to simultaneously perform capillary electrophoresis on samples present in each of the wells of the tray. The system includes a stacked, dual carrousel arrangement to eliminate cross-contamination resulting from reuse of the same buffer tray on consecutive executions from electrophoresis. The system also has a container connected to the detection end of the capillaries. The container is provided with valving which facilitate cleaning the capillaries, loading buffer into the capillaries, introducing samples to be electrophoresced into the capillaries, and performing capillary zone electrophoresis on the thus introduced samples.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the resolution of non-pressure driven capillary chromatographic systems, and particularly for capillary electrochromatography (CEC) systems. By reducing the cross-sectional area of a packed capillary column by means of a second open capillary contiguous with the outlet end of a packed capillary column, where the packed capillary column has a cross sectional area of between about 2 and 5 times that of the open capillary column, the phenomenon of band broadening in the transition region between the open capillary and the packed capillary column, where the individual components of the mixture are analyzed, can be eliminated, thereby providing for a significant improvement in resolution and more accurate detection and analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for separating a compound, including a membrane polypeptide. The method includes the use of a bicontinuous lipidic phase. The invention also provides devices that include a bicontinuous lipidic cubic phase, and a kit for use in separating a compound, including a mixture that includes a lipid and an aqueous phase and instructions for using the mixture.

Abstract: Novel and improved chiral stationary phases (CSP) materials comprising a support and completely regiodefined derivitised cyclodextrin chemically bonded via single or double urethane linkage(s) universally applicable in HPLC, LC, TLC, and CCE are obtained using a process based on the almost quantitative reaction of pre-synthesized regiodefined per-functionalized mono- or di- azidocyclodextrin with primary amines.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for moving, isolating and/or identifying particles in a sample by placing said sample in a spatially varying electrical field wherein the spatially varying electrical field is following a mathematical nonmonotonous function, selected from the group consisting of linear, hyperbolic, parabolic, parabolic functions or y˜xp/q and combinations thereof wherein p q means an integer. Also various devices are disclosed for performing the method.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrophoresis separation medium having a gel matrix of at least one random, linear copolymer comprising a primary comonomer and at least one secondary comonomer, wherein the comonomers are randomly distributed along the copolymer chain. The primary comonomer is an acrylamide or an acrylamide derivative that provides the primary physical, chemical, and sieving properties of the gel matrix. The at least one secondary comonomer imparts an inherent physical, chemical, or sieving property to the copolymer chain. The primary and secondary comonomers are present in a ratio sufficient to induce desired properties that optimize electrophoresis performance. The invention also relates to a method of separating a mixture of biological molecules using this gel matrix, a method of preparing the novel electrophoresis separation medium, and a capillary tube filled with the electrophoresis separation medium.

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: The present invention generally relates to miniaturized devices for carrying out and controlling chemical reactions and analyses. In particular, the present invention provides devices which have miniature temperature controlled reaction chambers for carrying out a variety of synthetic and diagnostic applications, such as PCR amplification, nucleic acid hybridization, chemical labeling, nucleic acid fragmentation and the like.

Abstract: An injection syringe 14 for injecting a gel into a capillary 111, a charging syringe 15 for charging the injection syringe 14 with the gel 10 are attached to a block 17. A check valve 16 is inserted between the both syringes, and the check valve 16 works so as to prevent the gel 10 from flowing back to the charging syringe 15. As the result, the gel charging can be automated, and accordingly the processing ability of the electrophoretic instrument can be improved.

Abstract: Chiral separations can be enhanced through the use of polymerized dipeptide-surfactant or oligopeptide-surfactant chiral micelles. Because polymerized micelles eliminate much of the complex dynamic behavior associated with conventional micelles, polymerized chiral micelles have stronger chiral recognition properties than do otherwise-identical, “conventional” or non-polymerized chiral micelles. Recovery of chiral ligands from polymerized chiral micelles is often easier, as the chiral ligands may typically be recovered by simple extraction with an appropriate organic solvent. By contrast, recovering the solute from a conventional, non-polymerized micellar medium by extraction with an organic solvent frequently results in the formation of troublesome emulsion systems. Polymerized chiral micelle systems are therefore beneficial in both preparative-scale and process-scale separations.

Abstract: A polymer material useful as the porous dielectric medium for microfluidic devices generally and electrokinetic pumps in particular. The polymer material is produced from an inverse (water-in-oil) emulsion that creates a 3-dimensional network characterized by small pores and high internal volume, characteristics that are particularly desirable for the dielectric medium for electrokinetic pumps. Further, the material can be cast-to-shape inside a microchannel. The use of bifunctional monomers provides for charge density within the polymer structure sufficient to support electroosmotic flow. The 3-dimensional polymeric material can also be covalently bound to the channel walls thereby making it suitable for high-pressure applications.

Abstract: A modular microchannel apparatus for analysis of an analyte. The apparatus includes a separation unit and a reservoir unit. The separation unit has a microchannel. The analyte can be driven to pass through the microchannel such that the time for the analyte to pass through the microchannel is indicative of the molecular characteristics of the analyte. The reservoir unit has one or more reservoirs for coupling operatively modularly with the separation unit to supply liquid reagents to the separation unit. The reservoirs has prepackaged liquid reagents in it before the reservoir unit is coupled with the separation unit.

Abstract: A microelectrophoresis chip comprises a substrate in which there are formed one or more channels, one channel for each sample to be evaluated. The channels extend for the length of the chip, a distance of generally around 1 cm, and are about 1 to 10 &mgr;m wide and 1 to 10 &mgr;m in depth. The channels are filled with a homogeneous separation matrix which acts as an obstacle to the electrophoretic migration of the charged molecules. Microelectrodes disposed in the channels are used to induce an electric filed within the homogeneous separation medium. When a voltage is applied across two or more of the microelectrodes, the charged molecules are induced to move and separate according to the electric field density, the type of solvent film, and the charge, shape and size of the charged molecule.

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: A microelectrophoresis chip comprises a substrate in which there are formed one or more channels, one channel for each sample to be evaluated. The channels extend for the length of the chip, a distance of generally around 1 cm, and are about 1 to 10 &mgr;m wide and 1 to 10 &mgr;m in depth. The channels are filled with a homogeneous separation matrix which acts as an obstacle to the electrophoretic migration of the charged molecules. Microelectrodes disposed in the channels are used to induce an electric field within the homogeneous separation medium. When a voltage is applied across two or more of the microelectrodes, the charged molecules are induced to move and separate according to the electric field density, the type of solvent film, and the charge, shape and size of the charged molecule.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides microfluidic devices which incorporate improved channel and reservoir geometries, as well as methods of using these devices in the analysis, preparation, or other manipulation of fluid borne materials, to achieve higher throughputs of such materials through these devices, with lower cost, material and/or space requirements.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to miniaturized devices for carrying out and controlling chemical reactions and analyses. In particular, the present invention provides devices which have miniature temperature controlled reaction chambers for carrying out a variety of synthetic and diagnostic applications, such as PCR amplification, nucleic acid hybridization, chemical labeling, nucleic acid fragmentation and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the resolution of non-pressure driven capillary chromatographic systems, and particularly for capillary electrochromatography (CEC) systems. By reducing the cross-sectional area of a packed capillary column by means of a second open capillary contiguous with the outlet end of a packed capillary column, where the packed capillary column has a cross sectional area of between about 2 and 5 times that of the open capillary column, the phenomenon of band broadening in the transition region between the open capillary and the packed capillary column, where the individual components of the mixture are analyzed, can be eliminated, thereby providing for a significant improvement in resolution and more accurate detection and analysis.

Abstract: An automated electrophoretic system is disclosed. The system employs a capillary cartridge having a plurality of capillary tubes. The cartridge has a first array of capillary ends projecting from one side of a plate. The first array of capillary ends are spaced apart in substantially the same manner as the wells of a microtitre tray of standard size. This allows one to simultaneously perform capillary electrophoresis on samples present in each of the wells of the tray. Electrical crosstalk between neighboring capillaries is attenuated using a protective tubing formed from an electrically insulative material. This crosstalk attenuation is provided in the form of sheathing, either around individual capillaries, or around bundles of spaced apart capillaries. Crosstalk attenuation may be enhanced by passing a nonconductive gas or liquid through lumens formed in the protective tubing, in which lumens the capillary tubes are present.

Abstract: In acordance with the teachings of the present invention, there are provided mathods, gels, and transferring devices for loading gels. The mathods and devices of the present invention involve the use of ultra-thin, miniature, disposable, slab gels for the quick, inexpensive and high resolution analysis of polynucleotide samples.

Abstract: An automated electrophoretic system is disclosed. The system employs a capillary cartridge having a plurality of capillary tubes. The cartridge has a first array of capillary ends projecting from one side of a plate. The first array of capillary ends are spaced apart in substantially the same manner as the wells of a microtitre tray of standard size. This allows one to simultaneously perform capillary electrophoresis on samples present in each of the wells of the tray. The system includes a stacked, dual carousel arrangement to eliminate cross-contamination resulting from reuse of the same buffer tray on consecutive executions from electrophoresis. The system also has a gel delivery module containing a gel syringe/a stepper motor or a high pressure chamber with a pump to quickly and uniformly deliver gel through the capillary tubes. The system further includes a multi-wavelength beam generator to generate a laser beam which produces a beam with a wide range of wavelengths.

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: 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 generally provides microfluidic devices which incorporate improved channel and reservoir geometries, as well as methods of using these devices in the analysis, preparation, or other manipulation of fluid borne materials, to achieve higher throughputs of such materials through these devices, with lower cost, material and/or space requirements.

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: 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 methods of electrophoretically separating macromolecular species, as well as compositions and systems useful in carrying out such methods. Specifically, the methods of the present invention comprise providing a substrate that has at least a first capillary channel disposed therein. The surface of the channel has a first surface charge associated therewith, and is filled with a water soluble surface adsorbing polymer solution that bears a net charge that is the same as the charge on the capillary surface.

Abstract: A high-pressure electrophoresis apparatus is formed by a high-pressure tubing (101) in which at least one column-shaped cell is arranged, said cell comprising two cell portions being arranged in the operating condition one above the other which form a cathode buffer solution reservoir (12) and an anode buffer solution reservoir (123) separated by a supporting member (122) which supports a carrier column loadable with a separating gel. Following implementation of high-pressure electrophoresis the carrier gel is extruded from the carrier column and subjected to further electrophoresis at normal pressure implemented on a slab gel.

Abstract: A mesoscale sample preparation device capable of providing microvolume test samples, separated into a cell-enriched fraction and a fraction of reduced cell content, for performing various analyses, such as binding assays, determinations involving polynucleotide amplification and the like. Analytical systems including such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated electrophoretic system is disclosed. The system employs a capillary cartridge having a plurality of capillary tubes. The cartridge has a first array of capillary ends projecting from one side of a plate. The first array of capillary ends are spaced apart in substantially the same manner as the wells of a microtitre tray of standard size. This allows one to simultaneously perform capillary electrophoresis on samples present in each of the wells of the tray. The capillary cartridge has two embodiments. In one embodiment, the second ends of the capillary tubes are also arranged is such an array. In a second embodiment, the second ends communicate with an interior cavity of pressure cell from which solutions, gels and the like may be introduced. The pressure cell allows for applying high pressure to clean out the capillary tubes. An apparatus for performing automated capillary gel electrophoresis using such a cartridge is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coated microcapillary column for high performance electrophoresis is disclosed. A preferred microcapillary includes a fused silica capillary column, the inner surface of the column having an interconnected polymeric coating of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based polymer covalently attached to the column wall by Si--O--Si bonds. The resulting coated microcapillary column has good hydrolytic and pH stability and minimizes electroosmotic flow and interactions between sample components and the capillary wall. Also disclosed are a method of forming a polymeric coating layer for any surface by polymerizing the appropriate organic compounds in an organic solvent and a method of forming a column with a hydrophilic polymeric coating by directly converting an attached hydrophobic polymeric coating material to a hydrophilic polymeric coating material.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis separation matrix for single-stranded nucleic acids, along with methods for using and preparing the matrix, are disclosed. The separation matrix provides denaturing conditions and contains hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) in combination with urea, and preferably also includes formamide. The separation matrix may be used for DNA sizing and sequencing applications and provides a single-base resolution to approximately 500 base pairs. The separation matrix is inexpensive, easy to prepare, requires no polymerization steps, and is of low enough viscosity to be pumped easily into and out of capillary tubes for electrophoresis. The low viscosity allows for high throughput of samples and reuse of the capillary tubes for numerous separations.

Abstract: The invention provides a side-entry optical excitation geometry for use in a multiplexed capillary electrophoresis system. A charge-injection device is optically coupled to capillaries in the array such that the interior of a capillary is imaged onto only one pixel. In Sanger-type 4-label DNA sequencing reactions, nucleotide identification ("base calling") is improved by using two long-pass filters to split fluorescence emission into two emission channels. A binary poly(ethyleneoxide) matrix is used in the electrophoretic separations.

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 capillary column for high performance electrophoretic separation and detection of SDS proteins and system for using the same is disclosed. A preferred column includes a capillary, a static or dynamic layer of coating material on the inner surface of the capillary wall, and a hydrophilic polymer network which is UV-transparent in the tube, filling it. The capillary column is particularly useful in any electrophoresis system requiring UV-transparent materials.

Abstract: The filing of an internally coated capillary with a gel in its polymerized state without damaging the gel. The coating prevents bonding of the gel to the inside of the capillary. The gel comprises up to 6% acrylamide and 0-5% crosslinker. The gel can be advantageously and conveniently used in automated electrophoresis systems for automatic replacement of spent gel.