Electrophoresis process
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Abstract
An electrophoresis apparatus is generally disclosed for sequentially analyzing a single sample or multiple samples having one or more analytes in high or low concentrations. The apparatus comprises a relatively large-bore transport capillary which intersects with a plurality of small-bore separation capillaries and includes a valve system. Analyte concentrators, having antibody-specific (or related affinity) chemistries, are stationed at the respective intersections of the transport capillary and separation capillaries to bind one or more analytes of interest. The apparatus allows the performance of two or more dimensions for the optimal separation of analytes. The apparatus may also include a plurality of valves surrounding each of the analyte concentrators to localize each of the concentrators to improve the binding of one or more analytes of interest.
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Citations
346 Claims
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1-321. -321. (canceled)
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322. An electrophoresis process, comprising:
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introducing a sample solution into a transport capillary of an electrophoresis apparatus; the electrophoresis apparatus including a first separation capillary which crosses over the transport capillary and intersects the transport capillary at a first intersection area, a first analyte concentrator at the first intersection area, a second separation capillary which crosses over the transport capillary and intersects the transport capillary at a second intersection area downstream from the first intersection area, a second analyte concentrator at the second intersection area, and a valve system; the valve system including first valve means on the transport capillary upstream of the first analyte concentrator, second valve means on the transport capillary between the first and second analyte concentrators, third valve means on the transport capillary downstream of the second analyte concentrator, first and second valves on the first separation capillary on opposite sides of the first analyte concentrator, and third and fourth valves on the second separation capillary on opposite sides of the second analyte concentrator; the valve system being in a first state with the first, second and third valve means open and the first, second, third and fourth valves closed; with the valve system in the first state, allowing the introduced sample solution to flow through the first and second analyte concentrators such that first analytes concentrate in the first concentrator and second analytes concentrate in the second concentration; operating the valve system to localize at least one of the first and second analyte concentrators to thereby improve the first or second analyte binding therein; introducing analyte eluting buffer into the first analyte concentrator and thereby releasing first analytes therein; introducing analyte eluting buffer into the second analyte concentrator and thereby releasing second analytes therein; with the first and second valves open, introducing by at least one of pressure, vacuum and electrokinetics separation buffer into the first separation capillary and thereby separating the released first analytes from the first analyte concentrator and towards an analyte detector system; and with the third and fourth valves open, introducing by at least one of pressure, vacuum and electrokinetics separation buffer into the second separation capillary and thereby separating the released second analytes from the second analyte concentrator and towards the analyte detector system. - View Dependent Claims (323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330)
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331. An electrophoresis process, comprising:
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providing an electrophoresis apparatus which includes a transport capillary, a first separation capillary crossing over the transport capillary at a first intersection area, a first analyte concentrator at the first intersection area, a second separation capillary crossing over the transport capillary at a second intersection area, and a second analyte concentrator at the second intersection area; the electrophoresis apparatus including a valve system operatively associated with the capillaries; with the valve system in a first state, delivering a sample solution along the transport capillary to the first and second analyte concentrators; positioning the valve system in a second state; and with the valve system in the second state, separating either sequentially or simultaneously first analytes from the first analyte concentrator to an analyte detector system and second analytes from the second analyte concentrator to the analyte detector system. - View Dependent Claims (332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346)
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Specification