• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.179-186
• /
• 2006

End-Labeled Free-Solution Electrophoresis (ELFSE) is a new technique that is a promising bioconjugate method for DNA sequencing (or separation) and genotyping by both capillary and microfluidic device electrophoresis. Because ELFSE enables high-resolution electrophoretic separation in aqueous buffer alone (i.e., without a polymer matrix), it eliminates the need to load viscous polymer networks into electrophoresis microchannels. To achieve microchannel DNA separations with high performance, ELFSE requires monodisperse perturbing entities (i.e., drag-tags), which create a large amount of frictional drag when pulled behind DNA during free-solution electrophoresis, and which have other properties suitable for microchannel electrophoresis. In this article, the theoretical concepts of ELFSE and the required characteristics of the drag-tag molecules for the ultimate performance of ELFSE are reviewed. Additionally, the merits and limitations of current drag-tags are also discussed in the context of recent experimental data of ELFSE separation (or sequencing).

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.199-204
• /
• 2010

We generated the feasibility of DNA separation in free-solution using genetically engineered repetitive polypeptides as drag-tags. Two different-sized repetitive polypeptides were designed, expressed in E. coli, and purified. They were conjugated to a fluorescently labeled DNA (100 base), and the electrophoretic mobilities of these conjugate molecules were analyzed on a microchip. The results of these studies indicate that genetically engineered repetitive polypeptide is a prominent candidate for rapid and high-throughput genetic mutation detection, such as SNP analysis.