Microfabricated devices: A new sample introduction approach to mass spectrometry.
Instrument miniaturization is one way of addressing the issues of sensitivity, speed, throughput, and cost of analysis in DNA diagnostics, proteomics, and related biotechnology areas. Microfluidics is of special interest for handling very small sample amounts, with minimal concerns related to sample loss and cross-contamination, problems typical for standard fluidic manipulations. Furthermore, the small footprint of these microfabricated structures leads to instrument designs suitable for high-density, parallel sample processing, and high-throughput analyses. In addition to miniaturized systems designed with optical or electrochemical detection, microfluidic devices interfaced to mass spectrometry have also been demonstrated. Instruments for automated sample infusion analysis are now commercially available, and microdevices utilizing chromatographic or capillary electrophoresis separation techniques are under development. This review aims at documenting the technologies and applications of microfluidic mass spectrometry for the analysis of proteomic samples.
Lazar
Iulia M
IM
Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA. lazar@vbi.vt.edu
Grym
Jakub
J
Foret
Frantisek
F
D001709:Biotechnology; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008904:Miniaturization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D040901:Proteomics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods