Laboratory for Chemistry and Physics of Interfaces, Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg , Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg, Germany.
Anal Chem. 2017 Jun 6;89(11):5697-5701. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b01182. Epub 2017 May 23.
We describe a new microfluidic platform to perform immunochromatographic assays. The platform consists of a linear assembly of small, porous cryogel monoliths functionalized with various biomolecules. The cryogels are anchored in an optically transparent capillary, which serves as the microfluidic carrier. This assembly enables fluid flow by capillary action and simple optical detection. Using an in situ preparation method, individual compartments are generated from small plugs of polymer solutions that are transformed into small individually functionalized cryogel monoliths through a photoinduced cross-linking reaction. In the same reaction step, the monoliths are firmly anchored to the surface of the capillary. As proof-of-concept, a prototype platform is successfully used for the detection of the inflammatory marker interleukin 6 via a sandwich immunoassay. We observe excellent assay performance metrics that include high sensitivity, good linearity, and low variation. We also demonstrate fluid transport solely by passive means, which is a critical attribute for point-of-care diagnostics.
我们描述了一种新的微流控平台，用于进行免疫层析分析。该平台由一系列小的多孔水凝胶单体组成，这些单体用各种生物分子进行了功能化。水凝胶被固定在一个光学透明的毛细管中，作为微流控载体。这种组装方式通过毛细作用实现流体流动，并进行简单的光学检测。使用原位制备方法，从小的聚合物溶液塞中生成单个隔室，这些隔室通过光诱导交联反应转化为小的单独功能化的水凝胶单体。在相同的反应步骤中，单体被牢固地固定在毛细管的表面上。作为概念验证，原型平台成功地用于通过夹心免疫测定法检测炎症标志物白细胞介素 6。我们观察到出色的分析性能指标，包括高灵敏度、良好的线性度和低变异度。我们还证明了仅通过被动方式进行流体传输，这是即时诊断的关键属性。
