Temperature-programmed natural convection for micromixing and biochemical reaction in a single microfluidic chamber.
Micromixing is a crucial step for biochemical reactions in microfluidic networks. A critical challenge is that the system containing micromixers needs numerous pumps, chambers, and channels not only for the micromixing but also for the biochemical reactions and detections. Thus, a simple and compatible design of the micromixer element for the system is essential. Here, we propose a simple, yet effective, scheme that enables micromixing and a biochemical reaction in a single microfluidic chamber without using any pumps. We accomplish this process by using natural convection in conjunction with alternating heating of two heaters for efficient micromixing, and by regulating capillarity for sample transport. As a model application, we demonstrate micromixing and subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for an influenza viral DNA fragment. This process is achieved in a platform of a microfluidic cartridge and a microfabricated heating-instrument with a fast thermal response. Our results will significantly simplify micromixing and a subsequent biochemical reaction that involves reagent heating in microfluidic networks.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
Sung-Jin
SJ
Kim
Fang
F
Wang
Mark A
MA
Burns
Katsuo
K
Kurabayashi
D018481:Convection; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004867:Equipment Design; D006358:Hot Temperature; D029521:Alphainfluenzavirus / Q000235:genetics; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods
D004279:DNA, Viral