microelectrophoresis

Microelectrophoresis is a technique used to separate charged molecules based on their size and electrical charge in a microfluidic environment. It is a miniaturized version of traditional electrophoresis, utilizing small channels or chambers. The separation occurs when an electric field is applied across the microchannel containing the sample. Charged molecules migrate towards the electrode of opposite polarity. Smaller molecules generally move faster than larger ones of the same charge, and molecules with higher charges move faster than those with lower charges.

This technique offers several advantages over conventional electrophoresis, including reduced sample and reagent consumption, faster separation times, and the potential for high throughput analysis. The small dimensions of microfluidic devices also allow for better control over experimental conditions and integration with other analytical techniques. Microelectrophoresis finds applications in various fields such as molecular biology for DNA and protein analysis, clinical diagnostics for separating biomarkers, and pharmaceutical research for drug discovery and quality control. The principle relies on the movement of charged species within a fluid under the influence of an electric field, where the migration rate is a function of the molecule's electrophoretic mobility.