title: Microfluidic sampling system for tissue analytics.
abstract: We have developed a microfluidics based sampling system for tissue analytics. The proof-of-concept of the sampling system was demonstrated by extracting lipid samples from tissue biopsies. The sample collection system consists of a disposable silicon based multiport microneedle integrated with polymer microfluidics. The polymethyl methacrylate polymer microfluidic chip has a 10 μl sample reservoir and actuation membranes for liquid pumping. A special automated robotic system was developed to control the positioning of the needle and the sampling procedure on preselected spots on the tissue. Real breast cancer tissue samples were used to test the feasibility of the sampling system. We successfully measured indicative cancer biomarkers from the tissue surface. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphoethanolamine were extracted from the tissue membrane with methyl tert-butyl ether solvent and detected by mass spectrometry. In the future, this tool could be used in characterization of preoperative biopsies and tumour tissues removed during surgery.
authors.affiliation: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland , Tietotie 3, 02044 VTT, Espoo, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hokkanen
authors.affiliation: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland , Tietotie 3, 02044 VTT, Espoo, Finland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stuns
authors.affiliation: CSEM Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology , Untere Gründlistrasse 1, CH-6055 Alpnach, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.affiliation: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland , Kaitoväylä 1, 02044 VTT, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kokkonen
authors.affiliation: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland , Tietotie 3, 02044 VTT, Espoo, Finland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: CSEM Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology , Untere Gründlistrasse 1, CH-6055 Alpnach, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steinecker
authors.affiliation: Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Institute of Pathology, Charitéplatz 1, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Budczies
authors.affiliation: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland , Tietotie 3, 02044 VTT, Espoo, Finland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heimala
authors.affiliation: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland , Kaitoväylä 1, 02044 VTT, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hakalahti