Polymeric matrices for DNA sequencing by capillary electrophoresis

We review the wide range of polymeric materials that have been employed for DNA sequencing separations by capillary electrophoresis. Intensive researc h in the area has converged in showing that highly entangled solutions of h ydrophilic, high molar mass polymers are required to achieve high DNA separ ation efficiency and long read length, system attributes that are particula rly important for genomic sequencing. The extent of DNA-polymer interaction s, as well as the robustness of the entangled polymer network, greatly infl uence the performance of a given polymer matrix for DNA separation. Further fundamental research in the field of polymer physics and chemistry is need ed to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which DNA is separated in dynami c, uncross-linked polymer networks.