Embodiments described herein relate to single-channel free-flow electrophoresis devices or apparatuses, and methods for separating and collecting analytes of interest from a sample by sequentially adjusting the pH value of the electrolyte buffers and separating the analyte of interest according to the corresponding isoelectric points of the analyte of interest. The method includes flowing a sample through a single center channel, applying an electric field perpendicular to a flow direction of the sample via an anolyte channel and a catholyte channel that are parallel to the center channel, and then collecting a fraction of the analyte of interest in accordance with their respective isoelectric points.

A system may include a first conduit configured to form a first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid separated by spacing liquid disposed between consecutive volumes of aqueous fluid, the spacing liquid being immiscible with the aqueous fluid volumes; a second conduit, fluidically coupled to the first conduit, the second conduit configured to statically hold the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid; and a third conduit configured to receive the first batch of discrete volumes of aqueous fluid from the second conduit. The third conduit can be configured to transfer the discrete volumes of aqueous fluid of the first batch for downstream processing.

When measuring electrophoretic mobility it is customary to apply an electric field and determine the electrophoretic velocity while minimizing all other contributions to the particle movement. A method and apparatus for the measurement of mobility while the sample is flowing is disclosed. Combined with a fractionation system, this approach further enables the direct measurement of individual species' mobility within a multi-modal sample. Other advantages of this new mobility measurement approach include the ability to easily pressurize the sample to suppress electrolysis, mitigation of oxidation-reduction effects and efficient heat dissipation.

Various embodiments of the teachings relate to a system or method for sample preparation or analysis in biochemical or molecular biology procedures. The sample preparation can involve small volume processed in discrete portions or segments or slugs, herein referred to as discrete volumes. A molecular biology procedure can be nucleic acid analysis. Nucleic acid analysis can be an integrated DNA amplification/DNA sequencing procedure.

A method for forming discrete volumes of aqueous fluid may comprise flowing aqueous fluid into a first conduit from a supply of aqueous fluid and flowing into the first conduit a spacing liquid supplied from a second conduit, the spacing liquid being immiscible with the aqueous fluid. The flowing of the aqueous fluid and the spacing liquid into the first conduit forms discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid, with consecutive discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid separated by the spacing liquid. The method may further comprise transferring the discrete volumes of the aqueous fluid and spacing liquid from the first conduit to a third conduit for processing.

The present disclosure provides component analysis methods including a measurement process and an analysis process.

A method of measuring stable A1c in a blood sample based on a time distribution of an optical measured value of hemoglobin at a flow path which separates hemoglobin in the blood sample on a basis of amounts of the charges of hemoglobin is provided. The method may include a step of obtaining a correction factor, based on a peak area (A) of a fraction including HbA0 and either a peak area (G) of a first fraction including chemically-modified HbA0, or a peak area (D) of a second fraction including a component having a smaller amount of positive charge than HbA0 adjacent to a fraction identified as HbA0, in the time distribution; and a step of correcting, based on the correction factor a peak area of a fraction including stable A1c in the time distribution.

A microfluidic device (11) is provided for separation and analysis of microfluidic samples. The device comprises: a separation channel (10); a first electrolyte channel (12) configured to provide a flow of high conductivity electrolyte solution, in use; and provided with a positive electrode (13) at a downstream outlet of the channel; a second electrolyte channel (14) configured to provide a flow of high conductivity electrolyte solution, in use, and provided with a negative electrode (15) at a downstream outlet of the channel; and wherein the flow of electrolyte through the first and second electrolyte channels removes electrophoresis products and gas bubbles from the device; and wherein the presence of the electrolyte provides a substantially homogenous electric field across the separation channel.

When measuring electrophoretic mobility it is customary to apply an electric field and determine the electrophoretic velocity while minimizing all other contributions to the particle movement. A method and apparatus for the measurement of mobility while the sample is flowing is disclosed. Combined with a fractionation system, this approach further enables the direct measurement of individual species' mobility within a multi-modal sample. Other advantages of this new mobility measurement approach include the ability to easily pressurize the sample to suppress electrolysis, mitigation of oxidation-reduction effects and efficient heat dissipation.

A method for separating a target substance includes: forming a mixture containing: a target substance-magnetic particle complex that includes: a sample containing a target substance, and magnetic particles to which a first receptor is fixed, wherein the first receptor is adapted to specifically recognize a site of the target substance; and separating the target substance-magnetic particle complex from the mixture by magnetism and electrophoresis.