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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Digital Microfluidics for Automated Proteomic Processing
Published on: November 6, 2009
Microfluidic-Mass Spectrometry Interfaces for Translational Proteomics
R Daniel Pedde1, Huiyan Li2, Christoph H Borchers3
1Laboratory for Innovations in Microengineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd., Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada; University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, University of Victoria, 3101-4464 Markham St., Victoria, BC, V8Z 7X8, Canada.
Abstract:
Interfacing mass spectrometry (MS) with microfluidic chips (μchip-MS) holds considerable potential to transform a clinician's toolbox, providing translatable methods for the early detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of noncommunicable diseases by streamlining and integrating laborious sample preparation workflows on high-throughput, user-friendly platforms. Overcoming the limitations of competitive immunoassays - currently the gold standard in clinical proteomics - μchip-MS can provide unprecedented access to complex proteomic assays having high sensitivity and specificity, but without the labor, costs, and complexities associated with conventional MS sample processing. This review surveys recent μchip-MS systems for clinical applications and examines their emerging role in streamlining the development and translation of MS-based proteomic assays by alleviating many of the challenges that currently inhibit widespread clinical adoption.
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