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Lab-on-a-Chip: from micro/nanofluidics to biomedical applications

Albert Van den berg 

MESA Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente (MESA), PO Box 217, Enschede 7500AE, Netherlands

Abstract

Over the past 15 years, the concept of Lab on a Chip (LOC) has been developed to a great level of maturity. These microfluidics systems are nowadays employed both for research purposes as for a variety of applications in physics, analytical chemistry and biomedical applications. The first example is the use of a nanofluidic channel to separate DNA. It is found that the movement of DNA fragments is 20 nm high nanoslits in a strong electrical field is not continuous, but in a so-called “stop-and-go” manner. DNA fragments are in the stop-phase for up to 90% of the time, and in the go-phase for only 10% of the time. Moreover, even in the go-phase, the calculated electrophoretic mobility is 10-100 times smaller than that of DNA in microchannels. We suggest two possible explanations for this effect, di-electrophoretic trapping (DEP) or mechanical trapping, both induced by surface roughness effects [1]. (see fig 1). In a second example, the development of a chip for monitoring lithium medication levels in manic-depressive patients. This chip consists of a separation microchannel with integrated conductivity detection electrodes [2]. (see fig 2). Moving towards cell-manipulation and analysis, the fabrication of a million-well petri-dish will be presented, for very high throughput cell-experiments [3]. More focused on the single cell-level, we developed a chip for electroporation and gene transfection of single cells. First, we show that single cells can efficiently be electroporated as indicated by the translocation of dye’s into the cell. Then, it is found that using a microfluidic chip we can electroporate and transfect C2C12 cells and human mesenchymal stem cells with high yield (>75%). It is found that GFP-ERK1 constructs transfected in HMSC’s translocate form cytosol to nucleus upon stimulus with growth factor bFGF [4]. Finally, the development of silicon nanowires for biosensing will be presented. 

 

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Presentation: Invited oral at E-MRS Fall Meeting 2009, Symposium F, by Albert Van den berg
See On-line Journal of E-MRS Fall Meeting 2009

Submitted: 2009-08-21 11:51
Revised:   2009-08-21 11:51