POLYMERIC SEPARATION MEDIA FOR ELECTROPHORESIS - CROSS-LINKED SYSTEMS OR ENTANGLED SOLUTIONS

The current status of separation media development for capillary electrophoresis is reviewed in light of well-known electrophoretic migration and entangled polymer solution theories. The relative strengths and weaknesses of crosslinked systems and entangled solutions are also examined. The residence time limit of DNA in a mesh is estimated and compared with the relaxation time of both a typical entangled polymer solution and a cross-linked gel. By advancing the concept of analyte residence time and life time of a characteristic network mesh, we can highlight the differences between the operative mechanism governing separation in these two types of electrophoresis media.