SDS-CGE of proteins in microchannels made of SU-8 films.
This work describes the SDS-CGE of proteins carried out in microchannels made of the negative photoresist EPON SU-8. Embedded electrophoretic microchannels have been fabricated with a multilayer technology based on bonding and releasing steps of stacked SU-8 films. This technology allows the monolithic integration of the electrodes in the device. A high wafer fabrication yield and mass production compatibility guarantees low costs and high reliability. A poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) packaging allows an easy setup and replacement of the device for electrophoresis experiments. In addition, the wire-bonding step is avoided. The electrophoretic mobilities of four proteins have been measured in microchannels filled with polyacrylamide. Different pore sizes have been tested obtaining their Ferguson plots. Finally, a separation of two proteins (20 and 36 kDa) has been carried out confirming that this novel device is suitable for protein separation. A resolution of 2.75 is obtained. This is the first time that this SU-8 microfluidic technology has been validated for SDS-CGE of proteins. This technology offers better separation performance than glass channels, at lower costs and with an easy packaging procedure.
Agirregabiria
Maria
M
MEMS/MST Department, IKERLAN-IK4 S. Coop., Mondragón, Spain. magirregabiria@ikerlan.es
Blanco
Francisco Javier
FJ
Berganzo
Javier
J
Fullaondo
Asier
A
Zubiaga
Ana María
AM
Mayora
Kepa
K
Ruano-López
Jesús M
JM
D004566:Electrodes; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008904:Miniaturization; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D011506:Proteins; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate