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Interdisciplinary science and technologies have converged
in the last few years to create exciting challenges and opportunities,
which involve novel, integrated microfabricated analytical
systems facilitating high throughput biomedical applications.
These new devices are referred to as Lab-on-a-Chip or Micro
Total Analysis Systems (uTAS) and their development involves
both established and evolving technologies including microlithography,
micromachining, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology,
microfluidics and nanotechnology. Main applications for this
novel "synergized" technology will include rapid
and high throughput bioseparations (genome, proteome and metabolome
analysis) for the biomedical and biotechnology fields; high
throughput laboratory analysis (particularly DNA and immunology
related) for the medical diagnostic field; drug discovery,
combinatorial chemistry and process control for the pharmaceutical
industry; and portable/hand-held analytical instrumentation
for the point of care clinical device, environmental and bio-weapons/defense
sector. Microfabricated devices have many advantages, such
as low reagent consumption, small (nanoliter) sample requirement,
as well as, readiness for system integration and high throughput
parallel processing, consequently leading to reduction in
overall processing/analysis time. Microchannel networks /reservoir
structures are fabricated into appropriate wafer materials
(glass, plastic, fused silica, etc.) using conventional techniques
of the microelectronics industry. Microfabricated channels
in silica wafers act like a network of capillaries and can
support both electric field (zone electrophoresis, micellar
electrokinetic chromatography, gel electrophoresis, isoeletric
focusing, isotachophoresis and electrochromatography) and
pressure mediated (capillary liquid chromatography) techniques.
Parallel setup, in the way of using microchannel arrays etched
into the glass wafer, ensures high throughput processing.
In addition to separation channels, structures such as mixing
compartments, reaction chambers (e.g., PCR), incubation and
fraction collection units, etc., can be fabricated into a
single microdevice (system integration).
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projects
Theoretical
and Practical Aspects of Capillary Elektrochromatography
