Miniaturized injection method using silver-coated capillaries in DNA sequencing by multiplexed capillary electrophoresis

Silver-coated capillaries were used for direct sample injection in multiplexed capillary electrophoresis. The absence of an additional electrode simplifies mechanical alignment, reduces contamination, and decreases the amount of sample needed. Capillaries were coated by a silver paint which is a suspension of silver particles in an organic solvent. To provide electrical contact, the upper part of the capillary and a platinum wire were wound together by a copper wire. Electrical resistance from the platinum wire to the tip of the capillary was small enough (7 Ω to 50 Ω) to inject large amounts of DNA samples. Electrokinetic injection from eight separate sample vials to eight capillaries was demonstrated for DNA sequencing by multiplexed capillary electrophoresis. Signal-to-noise ratio and resolution were good enough to call up to 350 base pairs.