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Automated sample preparation for electrospray ionization mass spectrometry based on CLOCK-controlled autonomous
Masahiro Futami1, Hiroki Naito1, Satoshi Ninomiya2
1Department of Engineering, Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of University of Yamanashi, 4-3-11 Takeda, Kofu, 400-8510, Japan.
Biomedical Microdevices
|April 9, 2024
Summary
A novel centrifugal microfluidic device automates clinical sample preparation for mass spectrometry. This autonomous system demonstrates stable, efficient protein aggregate removal, matching conventional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Clinical sample preparation for mass spectrometry is crucial but often manual and time-consuming.
- Existing methods may lack automation and consistency, impacting diagnostic accuracy.
- Microfluidic devices offer potential for automated, high-throughput sample processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an autonomous centrifugal microfluidic device for clinical sample preparation.
- To assess the device's stability, efficiency, and performance compared to conventional methods.
- To integrate the device with probe electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PESI-MS) for analysis.
Main Methods:
- Design and fabrication of a centrifugal microfluidic device based on the CLOCK paradigm.
- Incorporation of an agitation mechanism with bubbling for sample-solvent mixing.
- Automated performance of unit operations: sample extraction, mixing, and supernatant extraction.
- Comparison of device-processed samples with manually processed samples using PESI-MS.
- Statistical analysis of PESI-MS data using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA).
Main Results:
- The centrifugal microfluidic device demonstrated high operational stability with <7% variation in unit operation timing.
- The device effectively removed protein aggregates, comparable to manual high-speed centrifugation methods.
- PESI-MS analysis showed equivalent preparation capability between the device and conventional methods.
- PLS-DA confirmed the comparable performance of the automated sample preparation.
Conclusions:
- The developed centrifugal microfluidic device offers a stable and effective automated solution for clinical sample preparation.
- This autonomous system streamlines the process, potentially improving efficiency and reproducibility in mass spectrometry-based diagnostics.
- The device's performance is equivalent to traditional manual methods, paving the way for its clinical application.
Keywords:
Autonomous microfluidic controlCentrifugal microfluidicsMass spectrometrySample preparation
