ELECTROPHORESIS SYSTEM WITH ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION

本研究方案的主要目标是开发一种具有电化学检测功能的微芯片毛细管电泳仪(MicroChip CEEC)。这项研究的次要目标将集中在同型半胱氨酸的分离上，同型半胱氨酸是心脏病的早期指标。微芯片CEEC系统的特性将通过分离三种儿茶酚胺-多巴胺、肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素来完成。首先，将使用带有电化学检测的标准毛细管电泳仪(CEEC)开发同型半胱氨酸与其他硫醇(如谷胱甘肽、半胱氨酸和半胱氨酸)的分离方案。其次，将使用苏珊·伦特博士的实验室已经开发的袖珍CEEC系统对分离进行优化。最后，利用微芯片CEEC系统对同型半胱氨酸的分离和定量进行优化。

The primary goal of this research proposal is to develop a microchip capillary electrophoresis system with electrochemical detection (microchip CEEC). The secondary goal of this research will focus on the separation of homocysteine, an early indicator of heart disease. Characterization of the microchip CEEC system will be accomplished with the separation of three catecholamines---dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. First, the protocol for separation of homocysteine from other thiols such as glutathione, cysteine, and cystine will be developed using a standard capillary electrophoresis system with electrochemical detection (CEEC). Second, the separation will be optimized using a pocket CEEC system already developed in the lab of Dr. Susan Lunte. Third, a microchip CEEC system will be developed and, finally, the separation and quantification of homocysteine will be optimized using the microchip CEEC system.