Microfluidic Tools for Bioanalysis

微流体学是对具有微米级特征的设备中流体流动的研究和应用，由于其具有减少试剂消耗和分析时间的优势、将多种功能集成到单个设备上的能力以及高通量分析的潜力，已受到化学家、工程师、生物学家、物理学家和临床医生的欢迎。在这里，我们建议开发一种依赖于一种特殊形式的微流体的新工具，即“数字微流体”(DMF)。在DMF中，通过在电极阵列上施加电动力来精确控制样品和试剂液滴的位置和体积。该提案概述了以开发DMF生物分析方法为主题的广泛研究计划，横跨两个流派：(1)将样品处理与检测相结合，(2)细胞培养与分析相结合。STREAM 1中描述的工作将为依靠质谱学、电化学和核磁共振光谱学的实验室和现场工作带来强大的新的“样品输入、分析输出”技术。STREAM 2中描述的工作将使生命科学的研究人员能够提出与3D组织培养和细胞信号有关的问题，而这些问题对于使用现有工具进行探测是不切实际的。因此，该计划将对基础科学和应用科学产生重大影响，为人类健康带来潜在的长期利益。也许同样重要的是，这笔赠款将直接支持五名研究生的培训，并将间接惠及其他几名研究生。这些受训人员将在积极的、跨学科的环境中接受指导，并将成为下一代加拿大科学家、发明家和就业创造者。

Microfluidics, the study and applications of fluid flow in devices with micrometer-sized features, has become popular for chemists, engineers, biologists, physicists, and clinicians because of the advantages of because of the advantages of reduced reagent consumption and analysis time, the capacity to integrate multiple functions onto a single device, and the potential for high-throughput analysis. Here, we propose to develop new tools relying on a particular form of microfluidics known as “digital microfluidics” (DMF). In DMF, the positions and volumes of sample and reagent droplets are precisely controlled through the application of electrodynamic forces on an array of electrodes. This proposal outlines broad research program unified by the theme of the development of DMF-enabled methods for bioanalysis, spanning two streams: (1) combining sample processing with detection, and (2) integration of cell culture and analysis. The work described in stream 1 will lead to powerful new “sample in, analysis out” techniques for lab- and field-work relying on mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The work described in stream 2 will enable investigators in the life sciences to ask questions related to 3D tissue culture and cell-cell signaling that are impractical to probe using current tools. Thus, this program is poised to have significant impact on basic and applied science, with potential long-term benefits for human health. Perhaps equally as importantly, this grant will directly support the training of five graduate students and will indirectly benefit several others. These trainees will be mentored in a positive, interdisciplinary environment, and will emerge as the next generation of Canadian scientists, inventors, and job creators.