A prototypic system of parallel electrophoresis in multiple capillaries coupled with microwell arrays

Abstract

We present a microfluidic system that can be directly coupled with microwell array and perform parallel electrophoresis in multiple capillaries simultaneously. The system is based on an array of glass capillaries, fixed in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic scaffold, with one end open for interfacing with microwells. In this capillary array, every two adjacent capillaries act as a pair to be coupled with one microwell; samples in the microwells are introduced and separated by simply applying voltage between two electrodes that are placed at the other ends of capillaries; thus no complicated circuit design is required. We evaluate the performance of this system and perform multiple CE with direct sample introduction from microwell array. Also with this system, we demonstrate the analysis of cellular contents of cells lysed in a microwell array. Our results show that this prototypic system is a promising platform for high-throughput analysis of samples in microwell arrays.

Monolithic integration of fine cylindrical glass microcapillaries on silicon for electrophoretic separation of biomolecules

“…Despite the possible occurrence of electrodispersion, the theoretical plate numbers obtained for the peaks here (Table II) are comparable to those reported in the literature. 4,38,39 They range between 6.5 Â 10 3 (Ser) and 11.6 Â 10 3 (Gln) for the round microcapillaries and yet remain below 5 Â 10 3 for more traditional counterparts (except for Gly). The migration times through the round microcapillaries are slightly larger averaging at 12.3 s, 12.9 s, and 13.6 s for the peaks FITC-Gln, FITC-Gly, and FITC-Ser, respectively.…”

“…Otherwise, a 100-fold dilution would have been recommended for the prepared sample as prescribed in the previous protocols. 4,38,39 Such high sample concentration might have caused electrodispersion, the band broadening under non-uniform field distribution due to mismatched conductivities between the sample zone and the background buffer. Despite the possible occurrence of electrodispersion, the theoretical plate numbers obtained for the peaks here (Table II) are comparable to those reported in the literature.…”