Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
08:17
Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins
Published on: June 12, 2008
Recent innovations in protein separation on microchips by electrophoretic methods: an update.
Nguyet Thuy Tran1, Ichraf Ayed, Antoine Pallandre
1Univ Paris-Sud, Laboratoire de Protéines et Nanotechnologie en Sciences Séparatives, IFR 141, Châtenay-Malabry F-92296, France. thuy.tran-maignan@u-psud.fr
Electrophoresis
|December 17, 2009
Summary
Lab-on-a-chip electrophoresis is a powerful tool for protein analysis. Recent advancements focus on polymer microchips, improved separation techniques, and sample preconcentration for enhanced efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Lab-on-a-chip electrophoresis has emerged as a key technology for protein analysis.
- Previous reviews highlighted the utility of glass/silicon chips.
- Recent developments necessitate an update on polymer-based microchip electrophoresis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated review of lab-on-a-chip electrophoresis for protein analysis.
- To highlight recent advances and novel strategies in the field.
- To discuss modifications required for polymer-based microchips.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature with over 175 references.
- Analysis of advancements in electrokinetic modes and counter-flow gradient focusing.
- Examination of techniques for EOF measurement, surface treatment, and sample pretreatment.
Main Results:
- Polymer superiority for analytical microchip manufacture is confirmed.
- Significant progress in chip-based protein analysis techniques over the last two years.
- Emergence of counter-flow gradient focusing for separation and preconcentration.
Conclusions:
- Polymer microchips require a better understanding of interfacial phenomena.
- Innovations in detection and separation modes enhance protein analysis capabilities.
- Lab-on-a-chip electrophoresis continues to evolve as a vital analytical tool.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Capillary Electrophoresis: Applications
Capillary electrophoretic separations offer various modes, each with unique applications. These modes include capillary zone electrophoresis, capillary gel electrophoresis, capillary array electrophoresis, capillary isoelectric focusing, capillary isotachophoresis, micellar electrokinetic chromatography, and capillary electrochromatography.
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separates ionic components based on their electrophoretic mobility. It has been used to separate proteins, amino acids,...
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separates ionic components based on their electrophoretic mobility. It has been used to separate proteins, amino acids,...
01:22Two-dimensional Gel Electrophoresis
Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is a high-resolution protein separation method first introduced by O' Farrell and Klose in 1975. This method involves protein separation by two dimensions, mass and charge, making it more accurate than one-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
The first dimension separation uses the isoelectric focusing or IEF technique performed on immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips that separate proteins according to their isoelectric points.
Biological samples, such as cells...
The first dimension separation uses the isoelectric focusing or IEF technique performed on immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips that separate proteins according to their isoelectric points.
Biological samples, such as cells...
01:20Electrophoresis: Overview
Electrophoresis is a powerful analytical separation technique that relies on the differential migration of charged species when subjected to an electric field. The core strength of electrophoresis lies in its ability to separate high-molecular-weight species in complex mixtures. It has found widespread use in biochemistry, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry, allowing the separation of compounds like amino acids, nucleotides, carbohydrates, and proteins with excellent resolution.
There...
There...
01:20Capillary Electrophoresis: Instrumentation
Capillary electrophoresis instrumentation typically consists of several key components. A high-voltage power supply generates the electric field necessary for the separation by connecting to an anode (the positively charged electrode) and a cathode (the negatively charged electrode) located in buffer reservoirs at each end of the capillary tube. The system includes a sample vial, a fused silica capillary tube coated with polyimide for mechanical strength through which the sample components...
01:27SDS-PAGE
Gel electrophoresis is a method that separates biological macromolecules like nucleic acids or proteins by forcing them to pass through a gel matrix under an electric field.
A variation of gel electrophoresis, termed polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), is commonly used for separating proteins according to their molecular size by passing them through a polyacrylamide gel. Because of the varying charges associated with amino acid side chains, PAGE can be used to separate intact proteins...
A variation of gel electrophoresis, termed polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), is commonly used for separating proteins according to their molecular size by passing them through a polyacrylamide gel. Because of the varying charges associated with amino acid side chains, PAGE can be used to separate intact proteins...
01:20Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation
Cell separation was first achieved in 1964 by S. H. Seal, who separated large tumor cells from the smaller blood cells using filtration. Two years later, Pohl and Hawk performed experiments on how cells respond differently to a nonuniform electric field based on the cell type. Such observations were the inception of cell separation methods, which allow isolating a single cell type from a heterogeneous sample.