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Programmable 3DP microfluidic bio-reaction system: automated LAMP-on-a-chip
M Tugrul Birtek1, Nazente Atceken1,2,3, Savas Tasoglu1,3,4,5,6,7
1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey 34450. stasoglu@ku.edu.tr.
Lab on a Chip
|August 8, 2025
Summary
Engineers developed programmable microfluidic bio-reaction reservoirs using 3D printing. These novel hydrophobic valves enable precise fluid control for point-of-care diagnostics, including Mpox virus detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Point-of-Care Diagnostics
Background:
- Microfluidic systems are crucial for advancing point-of-care (PoC) devices.
- Programmable bio-reaction reservoirs are needed for miniaturized and automated biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer and characterize novel 3D hydrophobic valves for programmable bio-reaction reservoirs.
- To demonstrate the utility of these reservoirs in PoC applications, including pathogen detection.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D-printed soft lithography to fabricate hydrophobic valves and bio-reaction reservoirs.
- Investigated the impact of channel dimensions and surface properties on reservoir burst pressures.
- Developed a portable pressure pump for precise fluid control in microfluidic systems.
Main Results:
- Characterized bio-reaction reservoirs with burst pressures ranging from 6.4 to 44.8 mbar.
- Demonstrated programmable flow control in series and parallel configurations using various fluid samples (water, blood, serum).
- Successfully integrated reservoirs into a microfluidic chip for loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) detection of Mpox virus, achieving visible colorimetric results.
Conclusions:
- 3D-printed hydrophobic valves offer a versatile platform for creating programmable bio-reaction reservoirs for PoC devices.
- The developed system enables automated fluid handling and efficient pathogen detection.
- This technology holds significant potential for miniaturizing and automating complex biological assays in resource-limited settings.
