SMALL SEPARATION APPARATUS

An apparatus for processing compounds in small volumes by electrophoresis, t he apparatus comprising: (a) a cathode in a static cathode buffer zone or compartment; (b) an anode in a static anode buffer zone or compartment, the cathode disposed relative to the anode so as to be adapted to generate an electric field in an electic field area therebetween upon application of a voltage potential between the cathode and anode; (c) a first separation barrier disposed in the electric field area; (d) a second separation barier disposed between a selected one of the cathode buffer zone and the anode buffer zone and the first barrier so as to define a first interstitial volum e or chamber therebetween; wherein in use, electrophoretic buffer is disposed in the cathode buffer zone and the anode buffer zone, a sample constituent is provided to the first interstitial volume; wherein upon application of the voltage potential, a selected separation product is removed from the sample constituent through a selected one of the first and second separation barriers, and provided to a selected one of the cathode buffer and anode buffer zones; and wherein there is substantially no circulation of buffer or sample constituent in the buffer zones or the first interstitial volume.