Rapid analysis of PCR components and products by acidic non-gel capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis system has been developed which has the ability to rapidly analyse DNA restriction fragments, PCR products, oligonucleotides and complex deoxyribonucleoside tri-, di- and mono-phosphate mixtures in a single separating medium. Separations are performed in an internally coated capillary containing a solution of linear polymers. The separation of all DNA species is achieved through the novel use of acidic rather than alkaline pH. This has the added advantage of preserving the internal capillary coating. The use of the technique is described for rapid, high resolution separation of pBR322 and phi X174 DNA restriction digests, quality control of dNTP and oligonucleotide primer PCR components, detection of a PCR amplified region of lambda-phage DNA and detection of a PCR amplified human hypervariable region of forensic interest. The technique is termed "acidic non-gel capillary electrophoresis".