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capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)
Principle:
The basic components of a CZE sytem include:
1) a fused silica capillary connecting 2 electrolyte buffer reservoirs
2) a high voltage power supply
3) a detector penetrating the capillary linked to a data aquisition system
Method:
The sample is introduced into the capillary inlet (near one of the two electrolyte reservoirs). When a high voltage is applied across the capillary ends, the sample molecules are separated by electro-osmotic flow. A bulk flow results from excess positive ions at the inner capillary surface moving towards the cathode. Positive ions in the specimen emerge early at the capillary outlet because the electro-osmotic flow & ion movement are in the same direction. Negative ions also move toward the capillary outlet, but at a slower rate. As the sample ions migrate toward the capillary outlet, they pass a detector penetrating the capillary.
Different types of detectors include:
1) optical
2) conductivity
3) electrochemical
4) mass spectroscopy
5) radioactivity
General
electrophoresis
References
- Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed. Teitz ed.,
W.B. Saunders, 1995
- Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods,
19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co.,
Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 58