Parallel separations of oligonucleotides with optically gated sample introduction on multi-channel microchips

With the release of the human genome sequence, there has been increasing attention given to other genetic analyses, including the detection of genetic variations and fast sequencing of multiple samples for pharmacogenomics studies. Rapid injections of samples in multiplexed separation channels by optically gated sample introduction are shown here for DNA separation. Serial separations of four amino acids are shown in less than four seconds on a microchip with four multiplexed channels. Five short oligonucleotides have also been rapidly separated in 2% LPA with four channels using this technique. In addition, multiple unique samples have been simultaneously separated and five-base resolution has been demonstrated.