High-throughput DNA sequencing on a capillary array electrophoresis system

A capillary array electrophoresis apparatus capable of running and analyzing 48 DNA sequencing samples simultaneously has been constructed. The instrument uses a replaceable sieving buffer and incorporates a convenient method for introducing the buffer into the capillaries. Data from laser-induced fluorescence are collected as four separate images, one for each optical channel. The integrated data analysis software employs an open architecture that allows use of any DNA base-calling algorithm. DNA sequencing runs are completed in approx. 1 hr (similar to 500 bases), and instrument turnaround time between runs is less than 15 min. Overall, the instrument throughput is on the order of 720 templates/day, or 360,000 bases/day.