Microfluidic Chip Electrophoresis System

What is the Microfluidic Chip Electrophoresis System?

A benchtop analyser that separates fluorescently labelled nucleic acid fragments inside a microfluidic chip and reports digital sizes and concentrations. It is used for next-generation sequencing library quality control and PCR fragment analysis.

Overview

The chip electrophoresis system replaces the gel with a network of microchannels filled with a sieving polymer. Sample is loaded into a well, moved electrokinetically to an injection intersection and separated by size, then detected by laser-induced fluorescence as fragments pass a fixed point. Because the separation length is short and voltage is high, runs finish in 1 to 5 minutes, and the software converts migration times into fragment sizes against a ladder and integrates peak areas for concentration. Chips carry 12 or 16 samples and usually a ladder well, and a reagent kit of gel, marker and conditioning solution is consumed per run. Sensitivity reaches a few picograms per microlitre, and resolution is roughly 5 to 10 percent for fragments of several hundred base pairs.

How does it work?

In electrophoresis, an electric field drives charged molecules through a gel matrix: nucleic acids carry a negative charge from their phosphate backbone and migrate toward the anode, while their size and conformation determine how quickly they pass through the pores. Agarose gels of 0.5 to 2 percent resolve fragments from about 100 bp to 20 kb, and a buffer such as TAE or TBE carries the current between electrodes. Voltage is set per centimetre of gel length, commonly 5 to 10 V/cm, because higher voltages accelerate runs but heat the gel and blur bands. Sample loading dye adds density and tracking dyes, and a size marker gives fragment lengths by comparison. Detection uses intercalating stains under UV or blue light, or fluorescent labels in chip systems. Denaturing urea-PAGE resolves single-base differences in short oligonucleotides.

What are the key features?

• Microchannel separation in a disposable chip.
• Laser-induced fluorescence detection.
• Run time of 1 to 5 minutes per chip.
• Digital sizing and concentration from peak integration.
• Sensitivity of a few picograms per microlitre.
• Twelve or sixteen samples per chip plus ladder.

What are the technical specifications?

A typical microfluidic chip electrophoresis system configuration offers sample capacity of 12 or 16 per chip, sample volume of 1-2 µL per well, size range of 35 bp to 10 kb depending on assay, resolution of 5-10 percent for fragments of 200-1,000 bp, sensitivity of A few pg/µL of DNA and run time of 1-5 min per chip. 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 Microfluidic Chip Electrophoresis System is used in next-generation sequencing library sizing, PCR amplicon fragment analysis, restriction digest fragment measurement and RNA integrity assessment with dedicated kits. Across the wider Electrophoresis class, laboratories also deploy it for PCR product verification, DNA fragment sizing and restriction mapping and next-generation sequencing library quality control.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include IEC 61010-1, IEC 61010-2-081, IEC 61326-1, ISO 13485 manufacturing and CLSI MM13-A. Certification candidates for this model are CE, ISO 9001 manufacturing and IEC 61010-1 test report; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Prepare gels in a dedicated area and pour them on a level surface. Use fresh buffer at the recommended dilution, since reused buffer changes pH and conductivity, and check that electrode wires and connectors are clean. Keep the tank covered during runs to limit evaporation and protect operators from UV or electrical hazards, and never touch buffer or electrodes while a run is active. Choose low-toxicity stains where possible and follow local disposal rules for ethidium bromide or other intercalating agents. Clean and rinse tanks after each run to remove residual stain and agarose. Verify power supply calibration and check for cracked gel trays, worn leads and loose lid interlocks at fixed intervals.

How do I select the right Microfluidic Chip Electrophoresis System?

Select the chip system when accurate sizing and quantification of many fragments matter and manual gels consume too much time. Compare the size range and resolution your fragments need, chip capacity per run, reagent cost per sample and the analysis software output. Confirm that the assay kit suits your fragment type and that chips can be stored under the conditions you have.

How does it compare with other Electrophoresis variants?

Match the method to the molecule and the resolution needed. Agarose in a horizontal tank is standard for double-stranded DNA fragments and PCR products, denaturing urea-PAGE for oligonucleotides and single-stranded fragments, and sieving-polymer chip systems for accurate sizing and quantification of many samples. Throughput then decides between manual tanks, multi-channel units and automated systems that combine running and imaging. Consider gel format and well count, buffer volume and cooling, and the detection method, because stains, UV exposure and fluorescence optics differ in sensitivity and safety. For power supplies, check voltage, current and power limits, programmability, and whether constant voltage, constant current or constant power modes are available.