MODULAR MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES FOR PROTEIN SYNTEHSIS
Kyoung G. Lee1, Sujeong Shin1, Seongkyun Choi1, Moon-Keun Lee1, Nam Ho Bae1,
Seok-Oh Yun1, Tae Hyeon Yoo2, Seok Jae Lee1, Tae Jae Lee1,*, Byeong Il Kim3,*
1
2
Department of Nano Bio Research, National Nanofab Center, Korea.
Department of Applied Chemistry & Biological Engineering, Ajou University, Korea.
3
Tomorrow and Solution Corp., Korea
ABSTRACT
Modulation and integration of microfluidic device has been attractive to researchers, engineers and
public. To meet such requirements, new, reliable, and advanced fabrication method are required to expand
the capability of microfluidic. Herein, we report advanced techniques for producing microfluidic modules
and assembly them into integrated and functional microfluidic device.
KEYWORDS: Modules, protein synthesis, Integrated microfluidic chip
INTRODUCTION
Demands on modulation and integration of microfluidic devices have been brought great interests in
the field for expanding its applications in chemical, biological, and medical applications [1,2]. Previously,
PDMS-based assembly blocks for easy integrating multi-functional parts in a microfluidic device were
developed and proposed to the non-expert user [3]. However, the previous method is almost impossible to
assemble and dissemble of each functional device. Herein, we are firstly proposed an advanced
fabrication and assembly method for realizing modulated microfluidic devices using the combination of
film and plastic components. The combination of rubber O–ring and metal pins and nuts improve the
connectivity and reliability. Furthermore, non-expert users can easily access and make functional
integrateed microfluidic device without using any complex facility and instrument.
EXPERIMENTAL
The well–known standard components were carefully selected and designed using computer aided design (CAD) program. The outer holder can be shared and only core microfluidic channels are
varied with the device. The outer dimension of each module is 30 ⨯ 50 ⨯ 3 mm3 for width, length,
and height, respectively. All the outer holders were made by polycarbonate using microinjection
method. The syringe and tubes were directed connected with the device and injected the solution.
The different kinds of microfluidic designs including channels, chambers, and mixers were presented as shown in Figure 1. The inner functional modules were fabricated using cutting plotter
(FC4500-50, GRAPHTEC) as following the geometrical coordinated from the designs.
Figure 1. Schematic illustration and pictures of plastic modules.
978-0-9798064-8-3/µTAS 2015/$20©15CBMS-0001
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19th International Conference on Miniaturized
Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences
October 25-29, 2015, Gyeongju, KOREA
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Each modules has different functionality and uses as a basic building block to assembly them into the
microfluidic device (Figure 1). The outer plastic cases were made of plastic which is prepared by injection
molding method. The inner core of microfluidic channels was made of adhesive plastic film and precisely
fabricated using cutting plotter. The blade moved and directly cut the film based on the geometrical
coordination from designed blueprint. After preparing the microfluidic channels, the top, middle, and bottom
layers were bonded into microfluidic modules. Each modules were selected and connected with each other
using the combination of bolts and nuts as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the inserting of elastic O-ring
between the devices prevented potential leakages and improved the mechanical stability of the device.
Figure 2. (a) Example illustration and (b) picture of customized integrated microfluidic device by assembly of individual modules using bolts and nuts.
After assembling of the devices, the red ink and oil were directly injected to check any potential leakages and confirm the generation of microdroplets as shown in Figure 3. Depends on the flow rate of solutions, the device enabled to generate uniform sized red-colored microdroplets with diameter range between 100 µm to 1 mm (Figure 3). This experimental results confirm the reliability and functionality of
the device. To confirm the capability of module-based microfluidic device, we synthesize green fluorescent proteins using E. coli genes and In vitro transcription kit (IVT). The genes and IVT components were
separately injected into the device and produced microdroplets. The produced microdroplets were further
incubated 4h, the entire microdroplet presented green fluorescent signal which confirmed the highthroughput production of artificial bioreactors by integration of modular microfluidic devices.
Figure 3 (a) Picture of experimental setup for microdroplet generation and its magnified images. The variation of microdroplet
size under different flow rate conditions.
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Figure 4. (a) Schematic illustration of protein synthesis using E. coli genes and IVT kit in the microdroplets. (b) The optical images of produced microdroplets and fluorescent images of droplets after GFP expression.
CONCLUSION
In summary, a rapid, straight forward, user friendly and cost–effective modulation of microfluidic modules were successfully realized by modular microfluidic devices. The different types of microfluidic system can be possible by assembling of provided modules. The variety designs of modules were firmly connected using bolts, nuts and rubber O–rings and prevented any solution leakage
as well as enhancing mechanical stability. The protein synthesis also demonstrated and conferment
the feasibility of the devices for non–expert users. Moreover, these techniques can be widely applicable in microfluidic–related researches including biosensing, biomedical, and biochemical devices.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by BioNAno Health-Guard Research Center funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (MSIP) of Korea as Global Frontier Project (Grant Number HGUARD_2013M3A6B2078945) and the Pioneer Research Center Program (2014M3C1A3051460,
2014M3C1A3051476).
REFERENCES
[1] D. Mark, S. Haeberle, G. Roth, F. Stetten, and R. Zengerle, “Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip platforms: requirements, characteristics and applications.” Chem. Soc. Rev., 39, 1153-1182, 2010.
[2] A. B. Theberge, F. Courtois, Y. Schaerli, M. Fischlechner, C. Abell, F. Hollfelder, and W. T. S. Huck,
“Microdroplets in microfluidics: an evolving platform for discoveries in chemistry and biology.”
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 49, 5846-5868, 2010.
[3] S. M. Langelier, E. Livak-Dahl, A. J. Manzo, B. N. Johnson, N. G. Walter, and M. A. Burns, “Flexible casting
of modular self-aligning microfluidic assembly blocks” Lab Chip, 11, 1679-1687, 2011.
CONTACT
* Tae Jae Lee, phone: +82-42-366-1633; [email protected]
* Byeong Il Kim, phone: +82-10-3831-6856; [email protected]
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