The project will introduce several significant bioanalytical separations into the interdepartmental undergraduate biochemistry laboratory experience. At present, students are separating biomolecules using classical methods such as thin layer chromatography, polyacrylamide and agarose gel electrophoresis, and ion exchange resins. These methods are useful in illustration of the separation principles; however, the results are, at best, qualitative. A technology has been identified, high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE), which appears to have the versatility, quickness, and simplicity required for integration into five of our existing experiments that focus on separation, identification, and quantitation of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Faculty-supervised undergraduate research projects in biochemistry, biology, and chemistry will also employ the HPCE system.
