title: Improving the length-fractionation of DNA during capillary electrophoresis.
abstract: The present study develops a path-lengthening strategy for capillary electrophoresis of short double-stranded DNA molecules, in an aqueous solution of neutral polymer (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose). Tests of the dependence of fractionations on pulse times reveal the operation of at least one mechanism in addition to increase in effective path length. Electrophoresis is performed in the following two-stage cycles (cyclic electrophoresis): The first analysis-stage of each cycle is a constant field (forward) capillary electrophoresis. This analysis-stage reveals the length distribution of the shortest DNA molecules not previously analyzed. The second, enhancement-stage of each cycle is zero-integrated field electrophoresis (ZIFE). The enhancement-stage improves the DNA length-fractionation for the next DNA molecules to be analyzed. A slight reverse migration occurs in the enhancement-stage. Increase in both peak separation and peak sharpness contribute to improvement in the length-fractionation of DNA molecules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78229-3900, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Griess
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Serwer
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D004247:DNA