What should I consider when deciding between gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis?

One factor to consider is resolution. CE typically offers higher resolution than SGE due to its narrow capillary tubes and ability to use higher voltages without overheating. CE can also provide single-nucleotide resolution for nucleic acids and improved resolution for protein analysis. Another factor is cost. While traditional gel electrophoresis has a lower upfront cost, CE systems, especially automated ones, have a higher initial cost. Additionally, SGE allows visualization of multiple samples simultaneously in a parallel format, while CE typically runs one sample at a time. CE also requires smaller sample volumes, making it suitable for limited sample availability. Another thing to consider is that SGE is susceptible to contamination and overheating, while CE has issues such as leakage and clogging.