Analyte injection system

Abstract

This invention provides methods and systems for injection of analytes into a separation channel for resolution and detection. Samples can be preconditioned and concentrated by isotachophoresis (ITP) before the injection is triggered by a detected voltage event. Separation of analytes from other sample constituents can be enhanced using skewing channel ITP.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 500,387, filed Sep. 5, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 518,169, filed Nov. 7, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention is in the field of analytical electrophoresis systems and methods. The invention can include high resolution and highly sensitive Isotachophoresis (ITP) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) assays. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Electrophoresis is generally the movement of charged molecules in an electric field. Analytical methods based on electrophoresis have found broad utility, especially in the fields of protein and nucleic acid analyses. Samples having charged analyte molecules of interest can be placed in a selective media, such as size exclusion media, ion exchange media, or media having a pH gradient, where they can differentially migrate for high resolutio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides systems and methods for consistently injecting analytes into separation media based on a triggering voltage event. The methods can provide highly repeatable analytical results with high sensitivity, speed, and resolution. The invention can include a system for stacking analytes in a channel segment and applying an electric field or pressure differential to selectively migrate the analytes to a separation channel segment for detection and quantitation. The separation channel segment can have selective conditions or separation media to affect migration of analytes and sample constituents. The methods can also involve multiple samples and spacer electrolytes to resolve the sample into two or more analytes of interest."

Problems solved by technology

However, resolution or sensitivity may not be adequate for complex samples or dilute samples.

The Vreeland method is limited to pH based ITP of compatible samples, can be time consuming due to the neutralization step, and can be inconsistent due to variations in buffer preparation or hydroxyl ion generation.

Problems exist, however, in that the manual switching can be inconsistent, some analytes may not be detectable using a PMT, and PMT detection at the microscale can be cumbersome and expensive.

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