Electrokinetics for sample preparation of biological molecules in biological samples using microfluidic systems

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional sample preparation methods often involve extensive manual handling and are optimized after the main analytical method.
• Techniques like solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction are commonly used but can be labor-intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore electrokinetic techniques as alternatives for analytical sample preparation.
• To discuss their application in sample clean-up, concentration, and derivatization for both large and small molecules.
• To evaluate their potential for integration into lab-on-a-chip devices.

Main Methods:

• Focus on electrokinetic-based approaches for sample manipulation.
• Description of mechanisms, applicability, and integration potential.
• Exclusion of examples with treated or clean samples unless of exceptional value.

Main Results:

• Electrokinetic methods provide efficient sample clean-up, concentration, and derivatization.
• These techniques are applicable to large biological molecules (DNA, peptides, proteins) and small molecules for therapeutic drug monitoring.
• High potential for integration into automated lab-on-a-chip systems.

Conclusions:

• Electrokinetic techniques represent a significant advancement in analytical sample preparation.
• They offer versatile solutions for diverse biological sample analyses, including diagnostics and drug monitoring.
• Integration into microfluidic devices promises streamlined and automated sample processing.