A vertical slab electrophoresis device that achieves macromolecular separations at capillary electrophoresis field strengths and run times

摘要

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) can achieve over 2 X 10~6 theoretical plates of separation, with 100-150 V per centimeter (V/cm) field strengths in 10-15 rain for small molecules and 20-30 min for macromolecules. Conventional minigel slab electrophoresis is not used for small molecules, but achieves equivalent or superior resolution for macromolecules, albeit using low field strengths and run times in the 90-240 min time range. Because of the minute diameter and the extreme length of capillaries, it is necessary to use semiautomated to fully automated robotics to coat, fill, and apply samples to capillary tubes. Thus, CE devices typically cost between dollar 25,000 and dollar 40,000, and their throughput is limited to the number of capillary tubes and the wash-out and recycle times between runs. Their complexity also renders them subject to expensive maintenance and recalibration schedules.