Disposable multi-channel bio-analysis cartridge and capillary electrophoresis system for conducting bio-analysis using same

A multi-channel cartridge for bio-separation which is configurable to accommodate a desired one of a shorter capillary column and a longer capillary column, comprising:

• a plurality of cartridge elements, wherein each cartridge element comprises:
• a body defining an opening as a detection window for receiving external detection optics;
• at least one of the shorter capillary column and the longer capillary column supported in the body;
• a reservoir attached to a first end of the body in fluid flow communication with a first end of the at least one of the shorter capillary column and the longer capillary column, wherein the reservoir is dedicated to a single cartridge element;
• an anode, wherein the anode is conductively coupled to fluid contained in the reservoir;
• and
• a cathode disposed at a second end of the body,
• wherein the plurality of cartridge elements are coupled,
• wherein the reservoirs of the respective cartridge elements are not in flow communication,
• wherein the anodes of the respective cartridge elements are not conductively coupled in the multi-channel cartridge, and
• wherein in a first configuration the longer capillary column is configured to be routed to extend between the reservoir of a first cartridge element and the cathode of a second cartridge element via an opening provided between and interconnecting the first and second cartridge elements to expose a section along the longer capillary column in the detection window of the first cartridge element, and in a second configuration the shorter capillary column is configured to extend between the reservoir of the first cartridge element and a cathode of the first cartridge element to expose a section along the shorter capillary column in the detection window of the first cartridge element, and wherein the first and second cartridge elements are each structured to accommodate the first and the second configurations.