Potential binding of borate ions to mono- and oligonucleotides: a capillary electrophoresis investigation.

The potential binding of borate to oligonucleotides and DNA fragments is here investigated. In case of free nucleotides, such as AMP, there appears to be a weak binding, although no free versus complexed species could ever be separated under any experimental condition. The binding was suggested by the strong peak asymmetry and by the fact that, at progressively lower borate molarities in the background electrolyte, the peak shape suddenly switched from fronting to tailing.

Recent progress in DNA analysis by capillary electrophoresis.

A number of recent developments in DNA analysis by capillary electrophoresis are here reviewed. They include capillary arrays for fast, parallel DNA sequencing as well as microfabricated capillary arrays. Microfluidic chips for DNA sizing and quantitation are also covered, as well as microdevices containing arrays of regular obstacles acting as size-separators during DNA migration.