Patent ID: 6156178
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: B01J,C40B,G01N

Abstract:
A method of high throughput separation and detection of small target molecules in prepared samples, the method comprised of the steps:a) providing an array of capillaries;b) filling each capillary in the array with a separation media;c) preparing a plurality of samples, wherein a percentage of the plurality of samples contains at least one detectable small target molecule of discrete size range;d) transferring said plurality of samples to a plurality of sample receptacle containers, wherein each sample receptacle container has a plurality of sample holding receptacles for holding a sample, wherein a first end of a capillary from said array of capillaries may be brought into contact with the sample in said receptacle and a discrete amount of said sample injected onto said capillary;e) injecting a first batch of samples from a first sample receptacle container into a first end of capillaries in the array of capillaries;f) introducing an electrical field through said array of capillaries wherein any small target molecules in each sample in each capillary migrate through said separation media toward a second end of said capillary;g) electrophoretically separating said sample for a selected time interval wherein said interval is less than an amount of time necessary for said target molecules to migrate past a detection location;h) injecting another batch of samples from another sample receptacle container into said first end of said of said capillaries in said array of capillaries;i) repeating steps g-h a plurality of times;j) effecting electrophoretic migration of injected samples such that the target molecules are separated and migrate past said detection location associated with each capillary in the array of capillaries distal from said injection end of each of said capillaries; andj) detecting separated samples at the detection location with a detector to produce detection data.