Mikrochipelektroforeesi

Mikrochipelektroforeesi, also known as microchip electrophoresis or MCE, is a miniaturized separation technique. It is based on the principles of capillary electrophoresis but is performed on a chip-scale device, typically made of glass or plastic. In MCE, electric fields are used to drive charged molecules through microscopic channels etched onto the chip. These channels are significantly smaller than those used in conventional capillary electrophoresis, leading to faster separation times and reduced reagent consumption.

The separation occurs due to the differential migration rates of molecules through the electric field. Factors influencing migration include the molecule's charge, size, and the properties of the buffer solution within the microchannels. As molecules move through the channels, they can be detected, often using optical methods such as fluorescence or UV-Vis absorbance. The resulting data is a chromatogram, similar to that produced by other electrophoretic techniques, showing peaks corresponding to individual separated components.

MCE offers several advantages over traditional electrophoresis. Its small size and low power requirements make it ideal for portable and field-based applications. The reduced sample and reagent volumes contribute to lower costs and environmental impact. Furthermore, the integration of multiple analytical steps, such as sample injection, separation, and detection, onto a single chip can lead to higher throughput and automation. MCE has found applications in various fields, including chemical analysis, environmental monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics, for tasks like DNA analysis, protein separation, and drug screening.