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Microfluidic protein preconcentrator using a microchannel-integrated nafion strip: experiment and modeling
1Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. meng.shen@epfl.ch
Analytical Chemistry
|October 23, 2010
Summary
We developed a simple microfluidic device using Nafion and PDMS for rapid protein preconcentration. This electrokinetic trapping method achieves concentration factors up to 10,000 for fluorescent proteins.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Biotechnology
- Electrokinetics
Background:
- Protein preconcentration is crucial for sensitive biomolecule detection.
- Existing methods can be complex and time-consuming.
- Microfluidic devices offer miniaturization and enhanced control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, rapid, and effective microfluidic device for protein preconcentration.
- To investigate the electrokinetic trapping mechanism for biomolecules.
- To achieve high concentration factors for fluorescent proteins.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a microfluidic device integrating a Nafion strip within a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) structure.
- Utilizing electrokinetic trapping based on ion-permselective Nafion membrane.
- Numerical simulation solving coupled Poisson, Nernst-Planck, and Navier-Stokes equations.
Main Results:
- Achieved protein preconcentration factors up to 10,000 within minutes.
- Demonstrated rapid prototyping, leak-tight, and disposable device characteristics.
- Numerical study provided microscopic insights into concentration polarization and electrokinetic trapping.
Conclusions:
- The proposed microfluidic device offers a simple and efficient solution for protein preconcentration.
- Electrokinetic trapping at Nafion-based microfluidic devices is a viable strategy for biomolecule enrichment.
- This technology has potential applications in sensitive diagnostics and biochemical analysis.
