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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
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A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction
Published on: March 5, 2015
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Advances in coupling droplet microfluidics to mass spectrometry
Bridget E Murray1, Laura I Penabad1, Robert T Kennedy1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA.
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|June 19, 2023
Summary
Droplet microfluidics coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) offers sensitive, selective analysis without fluorescent reporters. This integration expands applications in biotechnology and bioanalysis, enabling complex mixture assays.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biotechnology
- Bioanalysis
Background:
- Droplet microfluidics offers low sample consumption and high throughput.
- Fluorescence assays are common but limited by reporter requirements.
- Coupling droplet microfluidics to mass spectrometry (MS) broadens analyte scope and enables selective assays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development of droplet microfluidics interfaced with mass spectrometry.
- To explore applications in biotechnology and bioanalysis.
Main Methods:
- Interfacing droplet microfluidics with MS via electrospray ionization (ESI).
- Interfacing droplet microfluidics with MS via matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated selective assays in complex mixtures.
- Broadened the analyte scope for droplet microfluidic applications.
- Established droplet microfluidics-MS as a nascent field with significant potential.
Conclusions:
- Droplet microfluidics-MS is a powerful technique for sensitive and selective analysis.
- This approach overcomes limitations of fluorescence-based assays.
- Applications span synthetic biology, reaction development, and in vivo sensing.
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