Plastic microchip electrophoresis for analysis of PCR products of hepatitis C virus

Background: Electrophoresis on polymeric rather than glass microstructures is a promising separation method for analytical chemistry. Assays on such d evices need to be explored to allow assessment of their utility for the cli nical laboratory. Methods: We compared capillary and plastic microchip electrophoresis for cl inical post-PCR analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV). For capillary electrop horesis (CE), we used a separation medium composed of 10 g/L hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose in Tris-borate-EDTA buffer and 10 mu mol/L intercalating d ye. For microchip electrophoresis, the HCV assay established on the fused s ilica tubing was transferred to the untreated polymethylmethacrylate microc hip with minimum modifications. Results: CE resolved the 145-bp amplicon of HCV in 15 min. The confidence i nterval of the migration time was <3.2%. The same HCV amplicon was resolved by microchip electrophoresis in <1.5 min with the confidence interval of t he migration time <1.3%. Conclusion: The polymer microchip, with advantages that include fast proces sing time, simple operation, and disposable use, holds great potential for clinical analysis. (C) 1999 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.