High-pressure gel loader for capillary array electrophoresis microchannel plates
Citation
Scherer, J.R., Paegel, B.M., Wedemayer, G.J., Emrich, C.A., Lo, J., Medintz, I.L., & Mathies, R.A. (2001). High-Pressure Gel Loader for Capillary Array Electrophoresis Microchannel Plates. BioTechniques, 31(5), 1150-1154.
- Microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis (µCAE)
- Microchannel plates (MCPs)
- Gel loading
- Washing
- High-throughput DNA analysis
- Genotyping
- DNA sequencing
- Linear polyacrylamide (LPA)
- Hydroxyethyl cellulose
- Automation
Brief
This article describes a novel device that automates the loading of gel into microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis microchannel plates and the subsequent washing and drying of the plates.
Summary
This research report from BioTechniques (2001) by J.R. Scherer, B.M. Paegel, G.J. Wedemayer, C.A. Emrich, J. Lo, I.L. Medintz, and R.A. Mathies, titled "High-Pressure Gel Loader for Capillary Array Electrophoresis Microchannel Plates", focuses on the development of a high-pressure gel loader designed for microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis (µCAE) microchannel plates. This technology seeks to improve the efficiency and throughput of DNA analysis.
Here are the key takeaways from the article.
- The authors designed a new gel-loading/washing system to address the need for supporting automation technology in microfabricated electrophoresis devices. This system loads, cleans, and dries microchannel plates (MCPs) used for separating DNA samples.
- The article details the construction of the device, which utilizes high-pressure helium to drive fluids like separation media or wash solutions into the microchannels of the MCP.
- The system demonstrates success in rapidly loading various separation media, including linear polyacrylamide (LPA) and hydroxyethyl cellulose. It also efficiently cleans and dries the MCPs.
- The authors highlight the versatility of the system, stating its use extends to various applications beyond gel loading and washing, such as delivering chemical solutions and aiding in surface coating.
- The authors conclude by emphasizing this gel loader as a significant step towards a fully integrated, high-throughput µCAE analysis platform for next-generation genetic analysis.