Automated Capillary Electrophoresis Nucleic Acid Analyzer

What is the Automated Capillary Electrophoresis Nucleic Acid Analyzer?

An instrument that injects samples into sieving-polymer filled capillaries and reports fragment sizes, molarity and integrity values for each sample. It is used for routine sequencing library checks and high-throughput amplicon quality control.

Overview

The capillary analyser moves sample electrokinetically into a capillary filled with linear sieving polymer, separates fragments by size and detects them with laser-induced fluorescence, using either intercalating dye in the polymer or fluorescently labelled samples. Multiple capillaries, commonly 8 to 96, run in parallel, and each sample is sized against an internal ladder, so results are not affected by run-to-run variation. Output includes an electropherogram, a fragment table with size and molarity, and derived metrics such as an RNA integrity number or a library smear profile. Typical resolution is 2 to 5 percent of fragment length, and sensitivity reaches a few picograms per microlitre. Injection, separation, polymer replenishment and cleaning are automated, which reduces labour and makes results comparable across operators.

How does it work?

Two measurement principles dominate. Absorbance analysis uses a 1 mm or 0.5 mm pathlength in a microvolume cell and reads at 260 nm, where nucleic acids absorb strongly, then scales the result to a standard 10 mm path. A260 of 1.0 corresponds to about 50 µg/mL double-stranded DNA, 33 µg/mL single-stranded DNA and 40 µg/mL RNA, and ratios at 260/280 and 260/230 indicate protein or salt contamination. Fluorescence methods use dyes that bind specifically to double-stranded DNA or to total RNA, so signal comes only from the target, which makes them more tolerant of protein, salts and free nucleotides. Capillary electrophoresis separates fragments in a sieving polymer and reports sizes in base pairs together with molarity. Automated workstations combine measurement with pipetting so samples can be diluted to a target concentration.

What are the key features?

• Eight to 96 capillaries running in parallel.
• Internal ladder sizing for run-independent results.
• Laser-induced fluorescence with intercalating or labelled detection.
• Molarity, size and integrity metrics in one report.
• Automated polymer replenishment and capillary cleaning.
• Resolution of 2 to 5 percent of fragment length.

What are the technical specifications?

A typical automated capillary electrophoresis nucleic acid analyzer configuration offers number of capillaries of 8-96, size range of 35 bp to 20 kb depending on assay, resolution of 2-5 percent of fragment length, sensitivity of A few pg/µL, run time per plate of 20-90 min for 96 samples and detection of Laser-induced fluorescence, 2-5 channels. 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 Automated Capillary Electrophoresis Nucleic Acid Analyzer is used in sequencing library insert size and molarity checks, RNA integrity assessment, amplicon panel quality control and genotyping fragment analysis. Across the wider Nucleic Acid Analysis class, laboratories also deploy it for next-generation sequencing library quality control, template quantification before qPCR and plasmid and oligonucleotide quality checks.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include ISO 20395, ISO 13485 manufacturing, MIQE guidelines, CLSI MM06-A2, IEC 61010-1 and IVDR (EU) 2017/746. Certification candidates for this model are CE, ISO 13485 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.

Blank the instrument with the same buffer as the sample, because buffer absorbance differs and elution buffers containing guanidine or EDTA give misleading ratios. Keep the measurement pedestal clean and wipe it between samples to avoid carryover, and check microvolume accuracy with a reference standard periodically. Fluorescent assays need fresh standards and protection of dye reagents from light, and dye-based concentration depends on assay chemistry, so do not compare results from different kits. For fragment analysis, follow the vendor's sample and ladder preparation closely, since ionic strength affects injection. Store eluted nucleic acids cold, avoid repeated freeze-thaw, and record concentration, ratios and method with every sample.

How do I select the right Automated Capillary Electrophoresis Nucleic Acid Analyzer?

Select the capillary analyser when fragment size and integrity must be measured objectively at high throughput, as in sequencing facilities. Compare capillary count, size range, resolution and sensitivity against your assays, and check consumable cost per sample, including polymer, capillaries and marker kits. Confirm that exported data fits your library tracking system.

How does it compare with other Nucleic Acid Analysis variants?

Choose the method by how much selectivity you need. Absorbance is fast, inexpensive and sufficient for routine plasmid or PCR checks, but it cannot distinguish DNA from RNA and is affected by protein, phenol and salts. Fluorescence dyes are selective for double-stranded DNA or RNA and need as little as a few picograms, which suits sequencing libraries and low-yield samples. Capillary electrophoresis adds size and integrity information that no spectrophotometer provides, which matters for library insert size and RNA integrity. Throughput then decides between single-tube devices, microplate readers and automated workstations that combine measurement with normalisation. Check the minimum sample volume, detection limit, linear range, required standards and the export format your data system accepts.