In capillary electrophoresis (CE) the classic separation techniques of zone electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and gel electrophoresis are performed in small-bore (10- to 100 µm), fused silica capillary tubes, 20 to 200 cm in length (Box 1). The CE method is efficient, sensitive, and rapid. High electrical field strengths are used to separate molecules based on differences in charge, size, and hydrophobicity. Sample introduction is accomplished by immersing the end of the capillary into a sample vial and applying pressure, vacuum, or voltage.
Box1. Separation Techniques Used in Capillary Electrophoresis
Microchip CE was developed in the early 1990s. The advantages of microchip CE include high speed, reduced reagent consumption, integration analysis, and miniaturization. The applications of microchip CE are diverse and include immune disorders.
Conventional CE revolutionized DNA analysis and was vital to the Human Genome Project. Microchip CE is still in the early stages of development but has demonstrated distinct advantages compared with traditional CE (Table 1).
Table1. Comparison of Traditional Capillary Electrophoresis and Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis
