Denaturing separation matrix having hydroxyethyl cellulose for nucleic acid electrophoresis

US5534123A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Molecular Dynamics Limited · US

Inventors

• John Bashkin · Mountain View, US
• David L. Barker · Del Mar, US
• Richard F. Johnston · Salem, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 10, 1995
• Grant date: Jul 9, 1996
• Expiry date: Jul 10, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N27/44747
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A capillary electrophoresis separation matrix for single-stranded nucleic acids, along with methods for using and preparing the matrix, are disclosed. The separation matrix provides denaturing conditions and contains hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) in combination with urea, and preferably also includes formamide. The separation matrix may be used for DNA sizing and sequencing applications and provides a single-base resolution to approximately 500 base pairs. The separation matrix is inexpensive, easy to prepare, requires no polymerization steps, and is of low enough viscosity to be pumped easily into and out of capillary tubes for electrophoresis. The low viscosity allows for high throughput of samples and reuse of the capillary tubes for numerous separations.