High throughput separations based analysis systems and methods

摘要

Methods and systems for use in separating sample materials into different fractions employing pressure-based fluid flow for simultaneous loading of a sample and a reagent into a sample loading channel of a microfluidic device. The sample is loaded from an external source through an attached external sampling capillary. The reagent, which may be a molecular weight standard, a diluent, a detergent, or a labeling reagent, is loaded from a reservoir integral to the microfluidic device via a reagent introduction channel within the device. The sample and reagent form a mixture in the sample loading channel. A portion of the mixture is electrokinetically injected from the sample loading channel, via an injection channel, into a separation channel, where it is separated electrophoretically.