Simple approach to study biomolecule adsorption in polymeric microfluidic channels.
Vladimir Gubala1, Jonathan Siegrist, Ruairi Monaghan
1Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI), National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR), Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland. V.Gubala@kent.ac.uk
Analytica Chimica Acta
|December 26, 2012
Summary
A new microfluidic method analyzes biomolecule adsorption on cyclo olefin polymer (COP) surfaces, crucial for lab-on-a-chip devices. This technique rapidly screens surface chemistries to optimize bioassay performance and reduce non-specific binding.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Cyclo olefin polymer (COP) is widely used in microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices.
- COP substrates lack native functional groups, requiring surface functionalization for specific biomolecule interactions.
- Controlling biomolecule adsorption is critical for bioassay sensitivity and specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a simple analytical method for characterizing biomolecule adsorption on COP substrates.
- To evaluate the adsorption of antibodies and oligonucleotides on various functionalized COP surfaces.
- To provide a rapid screening tool for surface chemistries in microfluidic applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized centrifugal microfluidic flow-through chips for sample handling.
- Introduced solutions containing biomolecules (antibodies, DNA) into microfluidic channels.
- Measured residual biomolecule concentration after passage through the chip to determine adsorption.
- Tested bare COP, APTES-modified, BSA-coated, and PEG-coated surfaces.
Main Results:
- Characterized adsorption of goat anti-human IgG and 20-mer DNA on different COP surfaces.
- Demonstrated the method's ability to differentiate adsorption on functionalized surfaces (positive, negative, neutral).
- Showcased potential for increased surface area via micro-milling for enhanced protein binding capacity.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic method offers a straightforward and rapid approach to screen surface compositions.
- This technique aids in understanding biomolecule-surface interactions within microfluidic systems.
- The method facilitates the optimization of bioassays by controlling adsorption and non-specific binding on COP substrates.
