Charge is a fundamental attribute of any biological molecule; in solution, it can be used not only to separate molecules, but also to concentrate and focus them. Standard separation techniques commonly rely on multiple analyte properties, such as differences in charge, size, solubility, and/or binding affinity, in addition to a solid surface. Isotachophoresis separates and focuses charged molecules in solution solely based on their ionic mobility. The result is a higher yield of pure nucleic acid that is less fragmented and free from bead or wash buffer contamination.
