Capillary electrophoresis apparatus for detecting emitted fluorescence

Abstract

The electrophoresis apparatus has a capillary filled with gel for use in electrophoresis. A first buffer solution container is provided for storing a buffer solution and introducing a sample labelled with a fluorescent substance into an inlet of said capillary for electrophoresis. A second buffer solution container is provided for storing a buffer solution containing a luminous solution, into which said sample is continually introduced from an outlet of said capillary after electrophoresis. Electrophoresis means is provided for subjecting said sample to electrophoresis by applying a predetermined value of voltage to said gel through which said sample is being transferred while being electrophoresed. Light receiving means is disposed underneath the outlet of said capillary to read fluorescence emitted from said sample from bottom in a direction in which said sample is approaching closer. This electrophoresis apparatus has benefits in that it can read an electrophoresis pattern of a sample of a nucleic acid or a protein obtained by subjecting the sample to electrophoresis with a high sensitivity without requiring any expensive device structure such as a laser beam source system. Thus, it is cheaper than conventional systems requiring such a laser beam system and is easier to handle.