Fast Separation of DNA Fragments in On-chip Electrophoresis Microcapillary

Abstract

Separation of DNA fragments is performed in on-chip electrophoresis microcapillary fabricated on a photosensitive glass. Since the UV-irradiated part of the photosensitive glass has the etching rate 20 times higher than the other parts, we can obtain the channel structure with the high aspect ratio, which is valuable to the high-sensitivity detection of the signal. The confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is used to observe and detect the fluorescent sample plug in the on-chip electrophoresis microcapillary. The CLSM is a powerful tool to observe and detect the sample inside the channel since it can capture the fluorescence images and can vary the laser focal plane depth. In this study, Hydroethylcellurose (HEC) polymer solution is using in the electrophoresis as sieving matrix. Therefore the on-chip electrophoresis microcapillary with the short separation channel is able to separate DNA fragments.