Advances in capillary electrophoresis and the implications for drug discovery

Abstract

Introduction Many screening platforms are prone to assay interferences that can be avoided by directly measuring the target or enzymatic product. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) and microchip electrophoresis (MCE) have been applied in a variety of formats to drug discovery. CE provides direct detection of the product allowing for the identification of some forms of assay interference. The high efficiency, rapid separations, and low volume requirements make CE amenable to drug discovery. Areas Covered This article describes advances in capillary electrophoresis throughput, sample introduction, and target assays as they pertain to drug discovery and screening. Instrumental advances discussed include integrated droplet microfluidics platforms and multiplexed arrays. Applications of CE to assays of diverse drug discovery targets, including enzymes and affinity interactions are also described. Expert opinion Current screening with CE does not fully take advantage of the throughputs or low sample volumes possible with CE and is most suitable as a secondary screening method or for screens that are inaccessible with more common platforms. With further development, droplet microfluidics coupled to MCE could take advantage of the low sample requirements by performing assays on the nanoliter scale at high throughput.

Recent advances and effective strategies in the discovery and applications of natural products

“…45 At present, the most widely used immunoassay methods in the eld of medicine research are enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for high-throughput rapid quantitative detection and gold immuno-chromatography assay (GICA) for rapid detection of immune colloid test. 46,47 Moreover, the identication technology of traditional medicines involves computer image identication, clustering analysis, electrophoresis, and DNA molecular genetic marker technology 48,49 (Fig. 2).…”

Coupling of capillary electrophoresis with electrospray ionization multiplexing ion mobility spectrometry

“…CE is a rapid analytical technique which is widely applied in many fields including forensic science, food science, pharmaceutical industry, and environmental analysis . CE separates molecules due to their electrophoretic mobilities.…”

Recent advances in protein analysis by capillary and microchip electrophoresis

“…Consequently, electrophoresis became a considerable analytical technique in several basic, environmental, biomedical, forensic, and clinical laboratories. 8–12 The technique in its major platforms, capillary electrophoresis (CE) and microchip electrophoresis (MCE), is characterized by high separation efficiency, fast analysis time, ease of operation, and low sample and electrolyte consumption. 13–15 Different modes of electrophoresis including capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE), isotachophoresis (ITP), micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), and isoelectric focusing (IEF) interfaced with various detection modes including laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), ultraviolet (UV), and mass spectrometry (MS) have been used for protein separations and analyses in different samples.…”