(68g) Polymeric Microfluidic Chips In Bioanalytical Applications

Novel technologies are leading the way toward inexpensive diagnostic devices to perform an array of specific diagnostic tests. To meet the demands of clinical testing, devices should possess attributes such as high throughput capabilities, flexibility in the choice of assay format; multiplexing capabilities, and low cost and disposability. Microfluidic systems fabricated in polymers meet a lot of these criteria and thus are attractive materials for molecular analysis. Application of polymeric microfluidic devices developed in our group, as potential diagnostic tools will be presented. One such application involves a purification and pre-concentration of DNA from biological samples, which is a critical step in many bioassays. A device for a solid-phase nucleic acids purification (i.e., gDNA, mRNA, sequencing products) will be described as an example of high parallel processing method of sample preparation, and as front module in the integrated microfluidic systems. An integrated microfluidic chip hosting continuous flow polymerase chain reaction with ligase detection reaction (PCR/LDR), designed for colorectal cancer mutation detection will be presented. Also, the operation of the reversed transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) chip applicable in viral infections detection will be discussed. The specific advantages of these devices include very low cost of fabrication achievable through use of polymer as the substrate material. Low cost of the device allows for its single time, disposable use which is mandatory in the processing of medical and forensic samples.