Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis System

What is the Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis System?

A benchtop instrument that runs DNA, RNA or protein samples through microfluidic chips with embedded channels and fluorescence detection, sizing and quantifying 10–12 samples in minutes from only 1–5 microlitres of sample; it suits routine quality control where speed matters more than maximum resolution.

Overview

Microchip electrophoresis miniaturises the capillary separation onto a glass or plastic chip with etched or moulded channels, reservoirs and electrodes. Samples, ladders and gel-dye mix are pipetted into wells, the chip is placed in the instrument, and electrodes contact each well to drive electrokinetic injection and separation. Separation takes about 30–45 seconds per sample and a chip of 10–12 lanes runs in under 30 minutes, with fluorescence detected by a laser and photodetector. Typical outputs include fragment size, concentration, RNA integrity number for RNA quality control, and protein sizing from 5 to 250 kDa. The format uses only 1–5 microlitres of sample and requires minimal training, so it is used for quality control of NGS libraries, PCR products and RNA before sequencing or gene expression studies. Resolution is lower than in full capillary arrays.

How does it work?

In capillary electrophoresis a fused-silica capillary of 25–100 micrometres internal diameter is filled with a background electrolyte or sieving polymer and connected between two buffer vials with electrodes. A few nanolitres of sample are injected hydrodynamically or electrokinetically and 5–30 kV is applied. The narrow bore dissipates heat efficiently, so high fields can be used, giving fast and sharp separations. Ions migrate according to their charge-to-size ratio, and in capillary zone electrophoresis electroosmotic flow from the charged silica wall carries all species toward the detector. Gel or polymer sieving separates DNA and SDS-protein complexes by size, while isoelectric focusing resolves proteins by pI. Detection is by UV absorbance or diode array, laser-induced fluorescence or mass spectrometry, and data are processed as electropherograms.

What are the key features?

• Disposable microfluidic chip with 10 to 12 sample lanes gives results within about 30 minutes
• Fluorescence detection sizes and quantifies DNA, RNA and protein using internal markers
• RNA integrity number reports RNA quality to predict performance in sequencing and qPCR
• Sample volume of only 1 to 5 microlitres conserves scarce samples
• Simple chip loading with pre-mixed reagent kits limits hands-on time and training needs
• Compact benchtop footprint with software for gel-like and electropherogram views

What are the technical specifications?

A typical microchip capillary electrophoresis system configuration offers samples per chip of 10–12, analysis time per chip of approx. 25–40 min, sample volume of 1–5 µL, DNA sizing range of approx. 25–12,000 bp (kit dependent), RNA assay range of approx. 25–6,000 nt and protein sizing range of approx. 5–250 kDa. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis System is used in NGS library quality control, RNA integrity assessment, PCR product and plasmid checks and protein size and purity screening. Across the wider Capillary Electrophoresis class, laboratories also deploy it for monoclonal antibody purity and charge variants, STR profiling for forensic identity and DNA fragment sizing and genotyping.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include USP <1053>, Ph. Eur. 2.2.47, IEC 61010-1, IEC 60825-1, 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO 18385. Certification candidates for this model are CE, ISO 9001 manufacturing and IEC 61010-1 safety; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Install the instrument on a stable bench with clean power, controlled ambient temperature and, for fluorescence systems, stable laser and optics conditions. Condition new capillaries according to the method, and flush between runs to maintain reproducible electroosmotic flow. Use filtered, degassed buffers and keep vials free of particles, since blockages and bubbles are the most common faults. Replace capillaries, polymer and windows on schedule, and verify performance with size standards or system suitability mixtures. Regulated users should plan IQ/OQ/PQ, calibration and software validation, with audit trails under 21 CFR Part 11. Safety follows IEC 61010-1 with interlocked high-voltage compartments, and laser safety under IEC 60825-1 applies to fluorescence detectors.

How do I select the right Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis System?

Select a microchip system for quick quality control of nucleic acid and protein samples where low sample volume and speed outweigh resolution. Use an array analyzer for STR or sequencing. Specify assay kits, chip format, sizing range, consumable supply and software features such as RNA integrity scoring.

How does it compare with other Capillary Electrophoresis variants?

Choose by application first. Capillary zone electrophoresis with UV or diode-array detection covers small ions, peptides, drugs and charge variants. Multi-capillary array analyzers with laser-induced fluorescence suit STR typing, fragment analysis and sequencing. Gel-based CE-SDS is the standard for size purity of monoclonal antibodies, and capillary isoelectric focusing resolves charge heterogeneity. Microchip formats trade resolution for speed and low sample use. Compare capillary count, detection type and sensitivity, temperature control, injection repeatability, autosampler capacity, and the software's audit trail and validation package for regulated use. Also consider consumable cost, such as capillaries, polymer and buffers, and whether the supplier can provide IQ/OQ documentation and method transfer support.