Detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase using aptamers as probes in affinity capillary electrophoresis.

An affinity capillary electrophoresis/laser-induced fluorescence (CE/LIF) assay was developed for direct and specific detection of reverse transcriptase (RI) of the type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) using fluorescently labeled single-stranded DNA aptamers as probes. The aptamer used (RT 26) is specific for HIV-1 RT, and it exhibited no cross-reactivity with RTs of the enhanced avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV), the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV), or denatured HIV-1 RT. An affinity complex of RT 26-HIV-1 RT was readily formed, and calibration curves were linear up to 50 nM (6 microg/mL) HIV-1 RT concentration, with both the free probe and complex peak usable for analytical quantitation. Cell culture media (RPMI with 10% fetal bovine serum) interfered with the assay and aptamer-HIV-1 RT binding. Nonspecific binding was observed in low or undiluted culture, necessitating at least 100-fold dilution for analysis of raw culture samples.

DNA sequencing using 96-capillary array electrophoresis.

Practical DNA sequencing in a rugged capillary array electrophoresis system coupled directly to 96-well microtiter plates is demonstrated. A CCD detector was used to monitor all capillaries simultaneously with laser-induced fluorescence at 1.75 frames per second. The reconstructed electropherograms show good signal-to-noise ratios and resolution for the entire capillary array. The system used standard dye labeling and image splitting to obtain fluorescence intensities in two wavelength regions to allow calling up to 410 bases for the DNA sequence. The use of a replaceable poly(ethylene oxide) matrix and a protective poly(vinylpyrrolidone) coating allows high separation speed and short turnaround time for high throughput DNA sequencing. Critical evaluation of the system performance over repeated runs with base calling is presented.

Multielement preconcentration of trace metals from natural waters by solvent extraction with an alkylated oxine derivative.

Kelex 100, a commercially available alkylated oxine derivative, is shown to be effective, in purified form, for the simultaneous extraction of trace levels of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) from natural waters into toluene. The high lipophilicity of the extractant and its chelates affords large preconcentration factors in a single batch-extraction. Back-extraction with a small volume of nitric acid provides additional enrichment for subsequent determination of total (soluble) metal by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Calibration with standard solutions can be used, which has advantages over the method of standard additions.