DNA digest analysis with capillary electrophoresis

DNA digest analysis with polymer-filled capillaries in capillary electrophoresis is described. The samples analyzed consisted of commercially available standards including a 100 base pair ladder with repeating units up to 2000 base pairs. Three DNA digests covered the most common small fragment ranges: up to 600 base pairs, up to 1500 base pairs and from 100 to 2500 base pairs. All samples were separated by traditional slab gel electrophoresis at various agarose concentrations and by automated capillary electrophoresis. The capillary electrophoretic separations were achieved with noncross-linked polyacrylamide from 6% monomer solutions. The acrylamide was polymerized inside the capillary, which was coated with a methacryloxysilane to insure binding of the polyacrylamide to the capillary wall. With 6% columns, excellent separations were observed up to 600 base pairs with base line resolution for fragments differing in less than 10 base pairs. Resolution power for fragments between 600 and 2200 decreased to about 300 base pairs. Compared to slab gels, capillary electrophoresis achieved better resolution in the low fragment range, whereas with the reported column composition, slab gels were superior above 600 base pairs. Fast access to the analysis of a specific sample, automation, and a larger dynamic range for sample load are further benefits of a DNA digest analysis by capillary electrophoresis.