Abstract:
Systems and method of sampling compounds into a microfluidic channel, comprising: providing a plurality of different compounds reversibly immobilized on a first surface of substrate; providing a capillary element having a capillary channel disposed therethrough, the capillary element having at least one open end, and a volume of solubilizing fluid present at the open end of the capillary element; moving the solubilizing fluid at the open end of the capillary element into contact with a fist compound on the surface of the substrate; sensing when the solubilizing fluid contacts the surface of the substrate, the solubilizing fluid dissolving at least a portion of the first compound; and drawing at least a portion of the dissolved first compound into the capillary element.
Abstract:
A method of characterizing a polypeptide, comprising providing a first capillary channel (104) having a separation buffer disposed within, wherein the separation buffer comprises a non-crosslinked polymer solution, a buffering agent, a detergent, and a lipophilic dye. The separation buffer is provided such that, at the time of detection, the detergent concentration in the buffer is not above the critical micelle concentration. The polypeptide is introduced into one end of the capillary channel. An electric field is applied across the polymer solution at different rates. The polypeptide is then detected as it passes a point (176) along the length of the capillary channel.
Abstract:
Electrokinetic devices having a computer for correcting for electrokinetic effects are provided. Methods of correcting for electrokinetic effects by establishing the velocity of reactants and products in a reaction in electrokinetic microfluidic devices are also provided. These microfluidic devices can have substrates with channels, depressions, and/or wells for moving, mixing and monitoring precise amounts of analyte fluids.
Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed to methods, apparatus and systems for use in performing in situ dilution or concentration of a particular subject material in a microfluidic device or system. These methods and apparatus may generally be integrated with other microfluidic operations and/or systems, to perform a number of different manipulations, wherein dilution or concentration, carried out within the context of the microfluidic device or system, is just one part.
Abstract:
The present invention generally provides microfluidic devices (200) and systems that utilize electrokinetic material transport systems to selectively control and direct the transport of materials through and among complex arrangements of integrated microscale channels (for example, 202 and 208 + 2n, where n = 0, 1, ...8) disposed within integrated body structures.
Abstract:
A method of characterizing a polypeptide, comprising providing a first capillary channel (104) having a separation buffer disposed within, wherein the separation buffer comprises a non-crosslinked polymer solution, a buffering agent, a detergent, and a lipophilic dye. The separation buffer is provided such that, at the time of detection, the detergent concentration in the buffer is not above the critical micelle concentration. The polypeptide is introduced into one end of the capillary channel. An electric field is applied across the polymer solution at different rates. The polypeptide is then detected as it passes a point (176) along the length of the capillary channel.
Abstract:
The present invention generally provides a micropump (100) that utilizes electro-osmotic pumping of fluid in one channel or region (106) to generate a pressure based flow of material in a connected channel (104), where the connected channel (104) has substantially no electro-osmotic flow generated. Such pumps have a variety of applications, and are particularly useful in those situations where the application for which the pump is to be used prohibits the application of electric fields to the channel in which fluid flow is desired, or where pressure based flow is particularly desirable.
Abstract:
The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays. In particular, the devices and methods of the invention are useful in screening large numbers of different compounds for their effects on a variety of chemical, and preferably, biochemical systems. The device includes a series of channels (110, 112), and optional reagent channel (114), fabricated into the surface of the substrate. At least one of these channels will typically have very small cross-sectional dimensions, e.g. in the range of from about 0.1 hem to about 500 .mu.m. The device also includes reservoirs (104, 106 and 108), disposed and fluidly connected at the ends of the channels (110 and 114). As shown, sample channel (112) is used to introduce the plurality of different test compounds into the device. As such, this channel will generally be fluidly connected to a source of large numbers of separate test compounds that will be individually introduced into the sample channel (112) and subsequently into channel (110).