Microchip‐Based Capillary Electrophoresis for DNA Analysis in Modern Biotechnology: A Review

Abstract

Microchip‐based capillary electrophoresis (ME) raises fascinating possibilities for new analytical technologies particularly in the detection of DNA fragments in modern biology. The ME technique has gained considerable popularity with significant progress being made in the development of miniaturized microfluidic devices in micro‐volume analysis methods. The ME offers the potential for highly efficient, simultaneous analysis of a large number of biologically important molecules in genomic, proteomic and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food stuffs. Recently, the ME technique has greatly impacted biotechnological research with potential applications in smart devices that can operate at the level of molecular manipulation. This review is focused on recent developments and applications of ME to the detection and separation of DNA fragments in various molecules i.e., biotechnological and clinical research.

Present address for Suresh Kumar Kailasa is Department of Chemistry, National Sun Yat‐Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, Center for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat‐Sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan.

Keywords:

• Microchip electrophoresis
• DNA
• programmed field strength gradients
• genetically modified organisms

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by a grant (Code 20070501034006) from BioGreen 21 Program, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea and partially supported by the grant of Post‐Doctoral Program, Chonbuk National University (2006), Jeonju, South Korea.

Notes

Present address for Suresh Kumar Kailasa is Department of Chemistry, National Sun Yat‐Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, Center for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat‐Sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan.