Apparatus for performing and universally detecting capillary isoelectric focusing without mobilization using concentration gradient imaging systems

A capillary isoelectric focusing system comprising light transmitting material forming a capillary passage therethrough in which separation of components of a sample take place;

• means for causing separation of components of a sample to take place in the capillary passage by means of isoelectric focusing and for maintaining such separation in the capillary passage as desired;
• means for generating a light beam having a width and a height, wherein the width is substantially greater than the height and is sufficient to extend a predetermined length along the capillary passage;
• means for directing the light beam through the capillary passage so that the light beam passes through a predetermined length of the passage, said predetermined length being such as to simultaneously include any separations of interest due to isoelectric focusing present in the passage;
• and detector means for detecting the intensity of light in the light beam after passing through the capillary passage at various positions along the predetermined length of the passage and to provide an output representative of the light intensity along the predetermined length of the passage, the intensity of the light at various positions along the predetermined length of the passage being indicative of sample separation along the length of the passage.