A Step Closer

A Step Closer outlines developments of integrated microfluidic devices for infectious disease and pathogen detection. With an eye towards decentralized heath services, the standalone microdevices created provide reliable results faster than conventional bench-top techniques routinely performed in laboratories, while consuming much less reagent volume. Building upon existing nucleic amplification-capillary electrophoresis microchip technology, the author presents novel advancements in microscale sample cleanup and high-resolution sample injection to produce higher-order integrated microfluidic bioprocessors with superior performance and simple operation procedure. The book compares different techniques used in pathogen detection, reviews various considerations in developing microfluidic devices, and provides examples of integrated systems for biological analysis. Together with scientific results, the book includes discussions about device design and fabrication, on-chip PCR and RTPCR, microscale pumps and valves, investigation and development of inline gel-phase affinity capture and injection via in situ-photopolymerization, microscale capillary electrophoresis…and more.