A microfluidics for life science applications

Abstract

Despite the vast research on high-throughput platform for parallel genomic assays, a simple yet reliable methodology is still to be discovered. This study investigates one approach of vacuum aided sample loading method to develop PCR-based biochips to analyse thousands of genes in a short time. By pre-depositing different reagents in the wells, the chip is able to conduct high-throughput assays after the sample loading. Advantages of the chip and method include high well density, low platform cost, simple, low cost operation for end users and high expansibility for automation device development. A systematic research on key parameters has been done. And most parameters show high dependency with chip manufacturing method. High speed camera was used to analysis the internal microfuidic processes aiming to explain phenomena and achieve the optimization of chip design.