Implementation of a capillary array electrophoresis instrument.

A capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) apparatus capable of running and analyzing DNA samples in 48 capillaries simultaneously has been constructed. The capillaries are individually replaceable, and sieving buffer can be easily pumped in and out of the capillary array as necessary. Samples are injected electrokinetically from polymerase chain reaction (PCR, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Nutley, NJ, U.S.A.) tubes arranged in a 6 x 8 format and are detected by laser-induced fluorescence. Data analysis software has been developed for semiautomatic analysis, including peak finding and DNA fragment sizing. The system represents a robust apparatus for the rapid and convenient analysis of DNA fragments in a high-throughout environment.