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Considerations for the Implementation of Capillary Electrophoresis in DNA TypingJohn M. Butler1, Dennis J. Reeder1 and Bruce R. McCord2 As the popularity of DNA typing grows, more efficient means will be required to process an increasing number of samples. While PCR methods have revolutionized the speed and sensitivity of DNA typing, conventional separation procedures are in many cases a rate-limiting step. Capillary electrophoresis, which permits field strengths of up to 200 V/cm, has the potential to overcome several problems with conventional gel electrophoresis. CE can benefit DNA typing in several ways: (1) samples can be processed in 5-15 minutes; (2) injection, separation, and detection can be completely automated; (3) only minute quantities of sample are required; (4) qualitative and quantitative information are available in a single step; (5) the separation matrix can be replaced hundreds of times in the sample capillary which permits a fresh medium for each separation; and (6) peak information is electronically stored for easy data processing and database information. For CE to be useful in a routine operation, rapid, reproducible, and robust separations are desirable. Procedures have been developed for rapid sizing of PCR-amplified short tandem repeats. The injection and separations parameters for CE will be discussed for minimizing separation time while maintaining the 4 bp resolution needed for tetranucleotide STRs. The future possibilities for this technique (e.g., microchips and multiple capillary processing) will also be examined. Go to proceedings home page
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