Postelectrophoresis capillary scanning method for DNA sequencing.

A postelectrophoresis capillary scanning method for increasing the throughput of DNA sequencing has been developed. The method features a spatially and temporally separated arrangement between capillary gel electrophoresis separation of DNA sequencing fragments and the visualization of the separation pattern. Fluroescently labeled DNA sequencing fragments of pBluescript SK(-) were produced in enzymatic chain-termination reactions and separated by capillary gel electrophoresis using a 110 cm fused silica capillary with a transparent polymer coating. A partial sequence from the DNA was then determined by repeated scanning of the capillary at a rate of 8.39 cm/s, with changing excitation wavelengths and spectral filter sets.