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A system is disclosed for the rapid and cost-effective sequencing of DNA. There are three principal components of the system:(1) a microreactor, Which prepares DNA sequencing “ladders” using solid-phase techniques, prefer ably in capillary tubes Whose volumes are on the order of 10—1000 nanoliters, preferably 10—200 nanoliters;(2) a microfabricated electrophoresis capillary separation unit; and (3) a? uorescence detector With single-mode optical? bers interfaced directly to the electrophoresis capillary. The system is suitable for a highly multiplexed, automated DNA sequencing device Typical. steps in sequencing are as fol loWs:(1) PCR ampli? cation of a DNA template in microtiter dishes using labelled primers, eg, primers labelled With biotin;(2) immobilizing the labelled PCR products on the Walls of one or more capillary tubes having volumes on the order of 10—200 nanoliters;(3) preparing nanoliter …