Background Electrophoresis, like ion-exchange chromatography, can be used as an effective tool for analyzing mixtures of ions. A strip of paper or a column of polymeric gel, saturated with an electrolyte, is set up so that it spans two solutions containing electrodes. The mixture to be analyzed is spotted onto the paper or gel and the two electrodes are connected to a high-energy power source (about 5,000 volts). Positive ions will migrate in one direction and negative ions in the other. The greater the charge on the ion, the farther it will migrate. This method is especially useful for the resolution of mixtures of proteins. Agilent's Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) system allows: * reproducibility, sensitivity and linearity * integrated software with graphical user interface * regulatory compliance tools Features Detection - Diode-array detector specially designed for on-capillary detection. The extended light-path capillaries extend detection limits with HPLC like sensitivity and linearity with the high sensitivity detection cell. Wide linear measurement range enables low level impurity analysis in a single run. Real-time spectral analysis for accelerated method development, with peak purity routines, compound identification and confirmation interactively using spectral libraries or in a single method for automated efficiencies. Ease of use and versatility - Quick change, self aligning capillary cartridge exchanges in less than a minute. The cartridge is also compatible with other commercially available capillaries. Self-explanatory graphical user-interface for straightforward operation and reduced familiarization time. Single sample carousel, offering random vial access, ideal for method development, routine operation and fraction collection. A vial table serves as an intelligent notepad for the vial position. Automated quantitative analysis - Full flexibility from random access to all vials, each fully sealed to prevent evaporation. Improved migration time reproducibility and high sample throughput with off-line buffer replenishment. Improved quantitative reproducibility with self-correcting pressure injection. Efficient capillary and sample temperature control for accurate quantitative analysis. The ChemStation for CE includes calibrations tables for a variety of plots, for SDS-protein and DNA or pl plots for capillary iso-electric focusing. High pressure application - The CE can apply the high pressure (up to 12 bar) at both ends of the column, necessary to maintain column-stability. This high pressure gives the flexibility to apply maximum voltages and use conductive mobile phases without out-gassing which causes column breakdown. The high pressure is also useful for rapidly flushing the viscous buffer systems when making DNA or protein separations. CE System Specifications CE System Electrophoresis Voltage range 0 - ± 30 kV supply Current 0 - 300 µA supply Power 0 - 6 W under current or power, programmable polarity switch Safety features Current leak detection, low current limit, safety sensors on doors and covers disable high voltage. Injection modes Controlled pressure or vacuum profile with variable peak pressure and on-line leak compensation. Programmable range 0- 50,000 mbar Electromigration 0 -30 kV Sampling and fraction collection 48-position carousel. Random access from cathode and anode end of capillary Temperature range 10 - 40 C (external water bath, non-condensing conditions Vials 100-µl sample vials, 1 or 2 ml buffer vials, plastic or glass snap caps Replenishment Satellite station for automated offline refilling anode and buffer vials with fresh buffer Capillary cassette Forced-air temperature cooled with Peltier element Temperature range 10 C below ambient to 60 C (± 0.1 C) with a minimum of 4 C Minimum total capillary length 33 cm Minimum effective capillary length 8.5 cm Compatibility 25 µm, 50 µm, 75 µm, 100 µm standard id (365 µm od) 25 µm, 50 µm, 75 µm, extended pathlength (factor 5, 3, 2.7 respectively) Detector Prealigned deuterium lamp, UV-visible absorbance diode array detector Wavelength range 190-600 nm Wavelength accuracy 1 nm Response time 0.1 to 20 s (9 choices) Signals 5 simultaneously Spectra: several acquisition modes with HP Chemstation for evaluation Time-programmable parameters Voltage, current, power, pressure, capillary temperature, pre- and postrun conditioning, replenishment, fraction collection. Data traces Signals, voltage, current power, capillary temperature, pressure
