Chapter one - Introduction

Abstract

The introductory chapter gives a brief overview of the history of electrophoretic techniques with a special focus on the utilization of gel matrices as anticonvective and sieving media. As part of the early miniaturization efforts, narrow bore capillaries were utilized at the end of the last century resulting in the technique referred to as capillary electrophoresis (CE). CE represents a fully automated version of the electrophoresis techniques requiring unique injection, detection methods, and data acquisition systems, all similar to that is used in liquid chromatography. Then the basic separation modes of capillary gel electrophoresis are shortly introduced including capillary gel electrophoresis, capillary gel isoelectric focusing, capillary gel isotachophoresis, and capillary affinity gel electrophoresis. Finally, a brief comparison with slab gel and capillary gel electrophoresis is provided.