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.

A determination method includes: using a microchip, including a capillary flow path and a sample reservoir connected to the capillary flow path at an upstream side, to fill the capillary flow path with a first solution for electrophoresis, and supply the sample reservoir with a second solution containing an analyte; applying a voltage between the sample reservoir supplied with the second solution and the inside of the capillary flow path filled with the first solution, to move a component contained in the second solution in the capillary flow path and separate the component in the capillary flow path; optically detecting a value related to a component difference between the first solution and the second solution, other than a value related to the analyte, for the separated component; and determining whether the optical detection is favorable or poor by comparing the optically detected value with a predetermined threshold value.

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 micro-lab includes one or more electrophoresis devices each optically coupled to respective spectrometers and electronic signal processing, analysis and control, with fluids transported via a system of valves, tubes and pumps. The spectrograms are captured by a respective digital cameras, and chemical characteristics including molecular mobility, particle (molecular) charge, molecular weight, particle (molecular) pH, particle (molecular) dielectric, particle (molecular) conductivity, Raman spectrum of each chemical species, IR spectrum of particle (molecular) is determined, and principal component analysis is performed to identify and quantify chemical constituents.

A determination method includes: using a microchip, including a capillary flow path and a sample reservoir connected to the capillary flow path at an upstream side, to fill the capillary flow path with a first solution for electrophoresis, and supply the sample reservoir with a second solution containing an analyte; applying a voltage between the sample reservoir supplied with the second solution and the inside of the capillary flow path filled with the first solution, to move a component contained in the second solution in the capillary flow path and separate the component in the capillary flow path; optically detecting a value related to a component difference between the first solution and the second solution, other than a value related to the analyte, for the separated component; and determining whether the optical detection is favorable or poor by comparing the optically detected value with a predetermined threshold value.

Provided is the processing of sample fluids containing one or more analytes of interest and to methods and devices for separating and/or purifying components of a sample fluid using electric and hydrodynamic forces. Though the fluid processing systems and methods are generally described herein as applied to microfluidics, it will be appreciated that the fluid processing systems may process any fluid volume suitable for use in embodiments described herein. Y-shaped and multiple-branched shaped 2-D EFD devices have been used to separate and/or purify one or more analytes from a mixture. Systems and methods in accordance with various aspects of the present teachings utilize hydrodynamic pressure (e.g., using a pump) to drive the sample liquid from the sample inlet to the separation stream, and can, in some aspects, provide improved control of the movement of the analytes, improved processing times, and decreased buffer depletion.

An ITP-based system and a method are provided. ITP is used to focus a sample of interest and deliver a high concentration target to a pre-functionalized surface comprising immobilized probes, thus enabling rapid reaction at the sensor site.

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, the method comprising: 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.

An analytical method and an analytical system capable of more accurate analysis, in which a sample is analyzed by a capillary electrophoresis technique in which a voltage is applied to a sample solution introduced to a micro flow path, a separation analysis is performed for a component contained in the sample solution, and an optically measured value corresponding to an elapsed time after starting a measurement is measured. The analytical method comprises: a process of determining an interface arrival time point, based on the optically measured value when an interface between the sample solution and a migration liquid reaches a predetermined measurement position in the micro flow path; and a process of identifying the component contained in the sample solution using the optically measured value at the elapsed time after the interface arrival time point.

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.