A microfluidic DNA computing processor for gene expression analysis and gene drug synthesis

Microfluidics (or laboratory-on-a-chip) is a newly developed technology, which has been used in a wide range of fields including chemical, biology, and medicine due to its integration, miniaturization, automation, and the potential capability for high throughput assay. Recently, it has also been investigated for the study of gene analysis and DNA computation.

Here, Zhang et al. report a microfluidic DNA computing processor for gene expression analysis and corresponding gene drug synthesis, in which the DNA computing process performs Boolean logic operations. It can be stated as following: Gene 1 and gene 2 and (not gene 3) and (not gene 4).

By combining the specific design of the computing related molecules and the integrated functions of the microfluidics, the microfluidic DNA computing processor is able to analyze the multiple gene expressions simultaneously and realize the corresponding gene drug synthesis with simplicity and fast speed.

Yu Zhang, et al., Biomicrofluidics 3, 044105 (2009)

DEP field-flow method for separating particle populations in a chip with asymmetric electrodes

Iliescu, et al. present a field-flow method for separating particle populations in a dielectrophoretic (DEP) chip with asymmetric electrodes (one thick, one thin) under continuous flow. The DEP structure with asymmetric electrodes presents two important advantages in comparison to planar structures, namely, a reduced Joule effect and a stronger DEP force in the vertical direction. T

hese properties were used to separate two cell populations, live and dead yeast cells. Test results show a separation efficiency of around 90%. The method can be applied as a live/dead assay in tissue engineering.

Ciprian Iliescu, et al., Biomicrofluidics 3, 044104 (2009)

Study on surface properties of PDMS microfluidic chips treated with albumin

Here, W. Schrott, et al., study the electrokinetic properties and structure of PDMS microfluidics chips used for bioassays. The proposed method of the electro–osmotic flow analysis at surfaces with a heterogeneous distribution of the surface electric charge can also be exploited in the interpretation of experimental studies dealing with protein-solid phase interactions or substrate coatings.

Schrott et al., Biomicrofluidics 3, 044101 (2009)