Multidimensional separations employing an array of electrophoresis channels

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for separating components of a sample. The method includes obtaining a first separation of the sample components along a first dimension wherein the sample components are at least partially resolved, wherein the first separation can be performed in the absence of an electric field applied to the first dimension. An electric field is used to obtain a second separation of the sample components along a second dimension comprising a plurality of substantially isolated volumes. An intensity-time data record is obtained from each of the isolated volumes, the intensity-time data records containing peaks, each peak being indicative of a migration time. The migration time of a first peak is normalized with respect to a migration time of at least a second peak to correct for migration time differences between the isolated volumes.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A separations system, comprising: 
 a first separation component for separating a sample into a plurality of fractions, wherein the first separation can be performed in the absence of an applied electric field;    a plurality of isolated separation lanes, the system configured to electrophoretically separate each fraction along a respective, isolated separation lane;    a detector to detect the presence of (a) a sample component and (b) a reference standard migrating along each of the isolated separation lanes; and    a processor configured to correct a migration time of the sample component from at least a first one of the isolated separation lanes for migration time variations between the isolated separation lanes based upon a migration time of the reference standard from at least one of the other isolated separation lanes.    
     
     
         29 . The separations system of  claim 28 , comprising an autosampler to collect the fractions from the first separation component.  
     
     
         30 . The separations system of  claim 28 , wherein the processor is configured to normalize the migration time of the sample component from the first one of the isolated separation lanes with respect to the reference standard from at least one of the other separation lanes.  
     
     
         31 . The separations system of  claim 28 , wherein the processor is configured to identify a peak indicative of the presence of the reference standard.  
     
     
         32 . The separations system of  claim 28 , wherein the isolated separation lanes are capillaries.