Separation of DNA by mass-transfer properties in the presence of an electric field

Experimental and theoretical works were performed for the separation of lar ge polyelectrolyte such as DNA in the column packed with gel particles unde r influence of an electric field. Since DNA quickly orients through the por es in the field direction, this paper presents how intraparticle convection affects the separation of DNAs in the column. Dimensionless transient mass balance equations were derived considering diffusion and electrophoretic c onvection. The separation criteria are theoretically studied using two diff erent Peclet numbers in the fluid and solid phases and these criteria were verified using two different DNAs by electrophoretic mobilities measured ex perimentally, showing how the separation position of DNAs Varies in the col umn according to values of Pe(f)/Pe(g) of individual DNA. Governing equatio ns are served by an operator theory and the characteristic method to yield the column response. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.