A new microchannel device for proteins separation and identification

A new microchannel electrophoresis device was prepared by micro-fabrication technique. Proteins were separated and simultaneously identified using a resistance circuit model. Various sizes of microchannels and detection electrodes were fabricated to evaluate the device performance. Mixtures containing three model proteins were demonstrated with this new device. The separation efficiency and detection signal were improved with the increase of the channel's cross-sectional area and the decrease of the detection electrode area. The amount of each protein can be roughly estimated by the device's current-time curve. This device is potentially applicable to biological and medical laboratories for the identification of proteins.