Automatic sample preparation in commercial capillary-electrophoresis equipment

To support the transfer of advances from R + D to routine analytical laboratories, we discuss recent developments in sample preparation for commercial capillary-electrophoresis (CE) equipment. We focus on practical considerations that permit the coupling or the integration of sample-treatment devices into commercial CE equipment. We describe and critically compare at-line and on-line coupling strategies. We also describe integrated in-capillary, in-vial or in-replenishment-system methodologies to perform solid-phase extraction or liquid-phase extraction.