An automatic integrated microfluidic system for allergy microarray chips12. Issue 10 (19th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Wen-Yen; Chou, Shang-Ta; Chen, Chia-Hui; Chou, Shan-Ying; Wu, Jia-Han; Chen, Yu-Chen; Lee, Gwo-Bin
• Is Part Of: Analyst. Volume 143:Issue 10(2018)
• Page Start: 2285
• Page End: 2292
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19
• Subjects: Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; 543
• DOI: 10.1039/c8an00247a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2654

Abstract

Abstract : An integrated system combining microfluidic techniques and microarray chips was developed to automate the allergen detection process. Abstract : Billions of people suffer from allergies, though in many cases, the source allergen is unknown. If one knows which allergens to avoid, this would result in an improved quality of life. Since a rapid, high-throughput, automatic allergen detection method is of great need, an integrated system combining microfluidic techniques and microarray chips has been developed herein to automate the allergen detection process. The developed microfluidic system could automatically carry out the entire procedure such as reagent incubation, hybridization, transport, and washing without any intermediate step. The microarray chip could be easily detached from the microfluidic chip afterwards, enabling it to be read under a fluorescence scanner. The experimental results indicated that the developed microfluidic system can automatically perform all the incubation processes, including hybridization, reagent transportation, and washing. It is worth noting that active mixing has been applied in the present study which is different from our previous study using micro-channels for passive incubation. Comparable results to a conventional benchtop approach were obtained in ∼30% less time with ∼25% less samples/reagents. Similar results were also demonstrated while detecting immunoglobulin E samples. The developed system could therefore provide a rapid, reliable, and automated approach for detecting allergen-specific antibodies in human serum.