DNA sequencing

A method for sequencing DNA, comprising the steps of:

• preparing a multiplicity of identical DNA strands;
• preparing, from the multiplicity of identical DNA strands, DNA strands with random lengths terminated at different ones of the adenine base, guanine base, cytosine base, and thymine base;
• applying samples of the terminated DNA strands to at least one channel of a separating apparatus;
• separating the DNA strands within said at least one channel into resolved bands in a continuous process wherein more mobile strands are resolved before less mobile strands are resolved;
• detecting the said resolved bands while the bands are still moving with respect to each other in the continuous process and identifying the sequence of the bands in said at least one channel.

A method for sequencing DNA, comprising the steps of:

• preparing a multiplicity of identical DNA strands;
• preparing, from the multiplicity of identical DNA strands, DNA strands with random lengths terminated at different ones of the adenine base, guanine base, cytosine base, and thymine base;
• applying samples of the terminated DNA strands to at least one channel of a separating apparatus;
• separating the DNA strands within said at least one channel into resolved bands;
• detecting said resolved bands in a continuous process wherein more mobile strands are resolved and detected before less mobile strands are resolved and detected;
• identifying the sequence of the bands in said at least one channel.

A method for detecting a strand of DNA having a fluorescent marker attached thereto, comprising the steps of:

• applying a pulse of light to said strand;
• and
• detecting light emitted from said strand;
• said detected light being delayed in time after initiation of said pulse of light;
• said delay in time being related to the fluorescent lifetime of said fluorescent marker;
• identifying the delay in time to discriminate said fluorescent marker from other fluorescence.

Apparatus for sequencing DNA, comprising:

• a separating apparatus having at least one channel into which samples of fluorescently marked strands of DNA are applied, said samples being prepared from a multiplicity of identical DNA strands and being terminated at different ones of the adenine base, guanine base, cytosine base, and thymine base;
• said separating apparatus including means for separating the strands within said at least one channel into resolved bands in a continuous process wherein more mobile strands are resolved before less mobile strands;
• means for applying light to the resolved bands in said at least one channel while less mobile strands are still unresolved in said channel;
• means for detecting light emitted by said resolved bands as a result of absorption of the light applied by said light applying means, and outputting detection signals corresponding thereto;
• and
• means for identifying the sequence of bands in said at least one channel from said detecting signals.

A method of detecting strands of DNA, comprising the steps of:

• marking the DNA strands with fluorescent labels that emit light within the near-infrared to infrared region;
• applying light from a source of light to the marked DNA strands;
• detecting fluorescense light emitted by said marked DNA strands as a result of absorption of the light applied to said marked DNA strands;
• wherein said detected fluorescense light is in the near-infrared to infrared region.