Continuous Sensing Photonic Lab-on-a-Chip Platform Based on Cross-Linked Enzyme Crystals

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technologies offer advantages like reduced reagent use and faster analysis.
• Conventional systems often lack the sensitivity, stability, and reusability required for continuous monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a photonic enzymatic lab-on-a-chip reactor using cross-linked enzyme crystals (CLECs).
• To demonstrate a robust, reusable, and stable platform for continuous sensing and enzymatic synthesis.
• To showcase superior performance compared to existing state-of-the-art technologies.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microreactor enabling in situ crystallization and cross-linking of enzymes.
• Integration of micro-optics for spectrophotometric monitoring of continuous enzymatic reactions.
• Utilizing lipase as a model enzyme to demonstrate the platform's capabilities.

Main Results:

• The developed microreactor functions effectively in continuous flow, demonstrating high sensitivity, robustness, and reusability.
• Enzymatically active material generated via in situ cross-linking exhibits long-term stability.
• Spectrophotometric monitoring enabled real-time analysis of continuous enzymatic reactions.

Conclusions:

• The photonic enzymatic lab-on-a-chip reactor presents a cost-effective and high-performance platform for continuous sensing.
• The technology is suitable for both continuous biosensing applications and microreactor-based synthesis of high-value compounds.
• Cross-linked enzyme crystals (CLECs) integrated into microfluidic devices offer significant advantages for enzymatic processes.