BIOTECHNICA 2003: At the Pulse of the Chip LabOctober 07, 2003The clinical and industrial analytics as well as diagnostics show an increasing demand for more sensitive and more rapid detection methods using smallest sample volumes. Within the BMBF joint project "MODULAB" a „chip-based-lab" construction kit is developed in which all the necessary working steps can be performed in separate units. The Institut für Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbH (IMM) is responsible, among others, for the conception and construction of the required micro pumps. By them the transport of smallest fluid volumes down to the nano-litre range is enabled. The IMM micro pumps use the characteristic properties of a magnetic suspension (ferrofluids or magnetofluids respectively). The ferrofluid is enclosed in the small channels of a specifically developed chip and can be moved with the help of a magnet which is controlled by a stepper. By means of an air-filled capillary system the chip filled with the ferrofluid is connected to a second chip, for instance for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This PCR chip contains the genetic material to be analyzed and is divided into the different temperature zones needed to run the polymerase chain reaction. With the help of the magnet the ferrofluid is moved inside the channels of the appropriate chip. The air filled connection to the channels of the PCR chip allows a fast and precise positioning of the sample liquid according to the temperature zone required for each reaction step. As the sample volume is already brought to the right temperature on its way to the next temperature zone, the operational principle allows performing PCR reactions at minimum cycle times. With the „chip-based-lab" a modular concept is implemented which enables testing of different bioanalytical assays on a micro fluidic level. The basis is formed by different modules which - depending on the problem - can be combined with one another. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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