Capillary electrophoresis is an analytical technique that separates ions based on their electrophoretic mobility and has found laboratory application in the assessment of a number of clinical conditions, as Jean Deenmamode explains.
The concept of capillary electrophoresis was first introduced in 1937 by Tiselius and the technique was refined subsequently in the latter half of the 20th century with the development of a 3-mm internal diameter tube, the use of glass capillaries, the advent of fused silica and the development of free zone electrophoresis and a stationary phase was attached to a thin layer inside the inner of the capillary column, which allowed ultraviolet (UV) detection but showed very poor sensitivity. In the 1990s it became associated with DNA work and the decade also saw the introduction of a capillary column packed with silica beads which allowed a high loading capacity and also availability of the first automated instrument.
Capillary electrophoresis has many applications and has been used for DNA fingerprinting and pharmaceutical analysis, but the main focus commercially has been on protein characterisation, serum immunotyping, haemoglobin work, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for diabetes control, and as a marker of alcohol abuse – carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT).
In capillary electrophoresis, an anode at one capillary end and a cathode at the other are linked by a buffer solution across which a high voltage is applied, creating a current. The sample is applied at the anodal end of the internally charged capillary, migrates through and is picked up at the detector at the cathodal end.
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register
