在微流控芯片上合成对甲氧基苯甲醛肟

本文用负压进样的方法, 在自制的玻璃微流控芯片中进行了对甲氧基苯甲醛和盐酸羟胺合成对甲氧基苯甲醛肟的相转移反应. 测定了不同反应时间的产率, 并与常规方法进行了比较. 讨论了相接触面积和塞流对产率的影响.     

Miniaturized bead-beating device to automate full DNA sample preparation processes for gram-positive bacteria

We have developed a miniaturized bead-beating device to automate nucleic acids extraction from Gram-positive bacteria for molecular diagnostics. The microfluidic device was fabricated by sandwiching a monolithic flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane between two glass wafers (i.e., glass-PDMS-glass), which acted as an actuator for bead collision via its pneumatic vibration without additional lysis equipment. The Gram-positive bacteria, S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus, were captured on surface-modified glass beads from 1 mL of initial sample solution and in situ lyzed by bead-beating operation. Then, 10 μL or 20 μL of bacterial DNA solution was eluted and amplified successfully by real-time PCR. It was found that liquid volume fraction played a crucial role in determining the cell lysis efficiency in a confined chamber by facilitating membrane deflection and bead motion. The miniaturized bead-beating operation disrupted most of S. aureus within 3 min, which turned out to be as efficient as the conventional benchtop vortexing machine or the enzyme-based lysis technique. The effective cell concentration was significantly enhanced with the reduction of initial sample volume by 50 or 100 times. Combination of such analyte enrichment and in situ bead-beating lysis provided an excellent PCR detection sensitivity amounting to ca. 46 CFU even for the Gram-positive bacteria. The proposed bead-beating microdevice is potentially useful as a nucleic acid extraction method toward a PCR-based sample-to-answer system.     

Microfluidic very large scale integration (mVLSI) with integrated micromechanical valves

Microfluidic chips with a high density of control elements are required to improve device performance parameters, such as throughput, sensitivity and dynamic range. In order to realize robust and accessible high-density microfluidic chips, we have fabricated a monolithic PDMS valve architecture with three layers, replacing the commonly used two-layer design. The design is realized through multi-layer soft lithography techniques, making it low cost and easy to fabricate. By carefully determining the process conditions of PDMS, we have demonstrated that 8 × 8 and 6 × 6 μm(2) valve sizes can be operated at around 180 and 280 kPa differential pressure, respectively. We have shown that these valves can be fabricated at densities approaching 1 million valves per cm(2), substantially exceeding the current state of the art of microfluidic large-scale integration (mLSI) (thousands of valves per cm(2)). Because the density increase is greater than two orders of magnitude, we describe this technology as microfluidic very large scale integration (mVLSI), analogous to its electronic counterpart. We have captured and tracked fluorescent beads, and changed the electrical resistance of a fluidic channel by using these miniaturized valves in two different experiments, demonstrating that the valves are leakproof. We have also demonstrated that these valves can be addressed through multiplexing.     

Efficient mixing and reactions within microfluidic channels using microbead-supported catalysts

A strategy for efficiently mixing solutions and carrying out multistep catalytic reactions in microfluidic systems is described. The approach involves immobilizing catalysts on microbeads, placing the beads into well-defined microreactor zones, and then passing reactants through one or more of the reactor zones to yield products. The catalyst-modified beads effectively mix reactants and increase the effective surface area of the channel interior, both of which improve reaction velocities compared to open channels. This approach is demonstrated using two sequential reactions catalyzed by glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase. In addition to providing a general route to chemical synthesis within microfluidic systems, this design strategy may also be applicable to modeling reaction pathways within cells and to bio/chemical sensing applications.     

基于渗透脱水的自动化蛋白质结晶高通量筛选芯片

构建了一种基于渗透脱水模式的自动进样微流控结晶芯片. 该芯片通过真空预脱气将包含蛋白质和结晶剂的液滴自动分配至结晶微腔阵列中, 然后利用集成的一排包含不同浓度盐溶液的透析管道, 通过渗透脱水方式经一层聚二甲基硅氧烷(PDMS)膜实现液滴的逐渐浓缩, 使之趋于过饱和状态, 进而形成结晶. 此芯片可一次筛选较宽范围的过饱和状态, 实现蛋白质结晶的快速优化. 利用模式蛋白溶菌酶的结晶实验验证了该芯片的性能.     

Synthesis of multi-unit protein hetero-complexes in the gas phase via ion-ion chemistry

The synthesis of protein hetero-complex ions via ion-ion reactions in the gas phase is demonstrated in a quadrupole ion trap. Bovine cytochrome c cations and bovine ubiquitin anions are used as reactant species in the stepwise construction of complexes containing as many as six protein sub-units. For any set of reactants, a series of competitive and consecutive reactions is possible. The yield of complex ions for any given sequence of reactions is primarily limited by the presence of competitive reactions. Proton transfer represents the most important competitive reaction that adversely affects protein complex synthesis. In the present data, proton transfer takes place most extensively in the first step of complex synthesis, when single protein sub-units are subjected to reaction with one another. Proton transfer is found to be less extensive when one of the reactants is a protein complex. The generation of hexameric hetero-complexes containing two cytochrome c molecules and four ubiquitin molecules is demonstrated with two different synthesis approaches. The first involved the initial reaction of several charge states of cytochrome c and several charges states of ubiquitin. The sequence of reactions in this example illustrates the array of possible competitive and consecutive reactions associated with even a relatively simple set of multiply charged reactants. The second approach involved the initial reaction of the 9(+) charge state of cytochrome c and the 5(-) charge state of ubiquitin. The latter approach highlights the utility of the multi-stage mass spectrometric (MS(n)) capabilities of the ion trap in defining reactant ion identities (i.e. charge states and polarities) so that synthesis reactions can be directed along a particular set of pathways.     

Design, simulation, and optimization of a miniaturized device for size-fractioned DNA extraction

Fraction collection following electrophoresis has many applications in biology analysis. These assays typically need to identify specific fractions in the separated sample for further processing and require extraction of one or a group of fragments. Unfortunately, the conventional methods involve cumbersome procedures and are not amenable to integration, automation, and extraction of microscale samples. In this work, we present a scheme of chip-based electroelution for the extraction of DNA fragments, which allows the isolation and collection of target DNA fragments in a single device. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results have shown that there are some cross-contaminations from adjacent bands and a little loss of DNA recovery during target DNA extraction with the prototype miniaturized device. In order to improve the purity and yield of the extracted DNA fragment, an optimal channel configuration for DNA recovery miniaturized device was proposed. The simulations and the experimental results are in good agreement and confirm that with the optimized device design a high-efficiency DNA extraction is achieved.     

Configurable 3D-Printed millifluidic and microfluidic 'lab on a chip' reactionware devices

We utilise 3D design and 3D printing techniques to fabricate a number of miniaturised fluidic 'reactionware' devices for chemical syntheses in just a few hours, using inexpensive materials producing reliable and robust reactors. Both two and three inlet reactors could be assembled, as well as one-inlet devices with reactant 'silos' allowing the introduction of reactants during the fabrication process of the device. To demonstrate the utility and versatility of these devices organic (reductive amination and alkylation reactions), inorganic (large polyoxometalate synthesis) and materials (gold nanoparticle synthesis) processes were efficiently carried out in the printed devices.     

Separation of proteins using a novel two-depth miniaturized free-flow electrophoresis device with multiple outlet fractionation channels

A novel free-flow electrophoresis glass chip design with two-depth etched structures for the separation and fractionation of proteins is presented. The microfluidic structures etched in two depths enhance the flow characteristics inside the miniaturized device. A novel nine-port outlet interface enables the fractionation of the separated analytes. The separation and focussing of a protein sample mixture demonstrated the ability of the new chip.     

Activity monitoring of functional OprM using a biomimetic microfluidic device

This paper describes the fabrication and use of a biomimetic microfluidic device for the monitoring of a functional porin reconstituted within a miniaturized suspended artificial bilayer lipid membrane (BLM). Such a microfluidic device allows for (1) fluidic and electrical access to both sides of the BLM and (2) reproducible membrane protein insertion and long-term electrical monitoring of its conductance (G(i)), thanks to the miniaturization of the BLM. We demonstrate here for the first time the feasibility to insert a large trans-membrane protein through its β-barrel, and monitor its functional activity for more than 1 hour (limited by buffer evaporation). In this paper, we specifically used our device for the monitoring of OprM, a bacterial efflux channel involved in the multidrug resistance of the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sub-steps of the OprM channel conductance were detected during the electrical recordings within our device, which might be due to oscillations between several structural conformations (sub-states) adopted by the protein, as part of its opening mechanism. This work is a first step towards the establishment of a genuine platform dedicated to the investigation of bacterial proteins under reconstituted conditions, a very promising tool for the screening of new inhibitors against bacterial channels involved in drug resistance.     

Enzyme-Polymer-Conjugate-Based Pickering Emulsions for Cell-Free Expression and Cascade Biotransformation

In this study, we addressed the limitations of conventional enzyme-polymer-conjugate-based Pickering emulsions for interfacial biocatalysis, which traditionally suffer from nonspecific and uncontrollable conjugation positions that can impede catalytic performance. By introducing a non-canonical amino acid (ncAA) at a specific site on target enzymes, we enabled precise polymer-enzyme conjugation. These engineered conjugates then acted as biocatalytically active emulsifiers to stabilize Pickering emulsions, while encapsulating a cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system in the aqueous phase for targeted enzyme expression. The resulting cascade reaction system leveraged enzymes expressed in the aqueous phase and on the emulsion interface for optimized chemical biosynthesis. The use of the cell-free system eliminated the need for intact whole cells or purified enzymes, representing a significant advancement in biocatalysis. Remarkably, the integration of Pickering emulsion, precise enzyme-polymer conjugation, and CFPS resulted in a fivefold enhancement in catalytic performance as compared to traditional single-phase reactions. Therefore, our approach harnesses the combined strengths of advanced biochemical engineering techniques, offering an efficient and practical solution for the synthesis of value-added chemicals in various biocatalysis and biotransformation applications.     

Micromolding of solvent resistant microfluidic devices

We demonstrate a rapid fabrication procedure for solvent-resistant microfluidic devices based on the perfluoropolyether (PFPE) SIFEL. We carefully modified the poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micromolding procedure, such that it can still be executed using the standard facilities for PDMS devices. Most importantly, devices with a thin SIFEL layer for the patterned channels and a PDMS support layer on top offered the best of two worlds in terms of chemical and mechanical stability during fabrication and use. Tests revealed that these devices overcome two important drawbacks of PDMS devices: (i) incompatibility with almost all non-aqueous solvents, and (ii) leaching of oligomer into solution. The potential of our device is shown by performing a relevant organic synthesis reaction with aggressive reactants and solvents. PFPE-PDMS devices will greatly expand the application window of micromolded devices.     

Nanoparticle precipitation in reverse microemulsions: particle formation dynamics and tailoring of particle size distributions

In this work, a detailed experimental analysis of the nanoparticle formation dynamics and the formation mechanism in a reverse microemulsion system is given. The precipitation of barium sulfate nanoparticles inside microemulsion droplets is investigated at the molecular scale with respect to the evolution of the particle size distribution and the particle morphology by an extensive transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. Different mixing procedures (feeding strategies) of two reactants, barium chloride and potassium sulfate, are evaluated concerning their ability for a tailored particle design under consideration of the complete particle size distribution (modality and polydispersity). It is shown that improved knowledge about the particle formation mechanisms, the dynamics, and the influence of the colloidal microemulsion structure could be used for a tailored design of particles,for example, controlled synthesis of nanoparticles with a bimodal particle size distribution by the application of a sophisticated feeding strategy.     

合成甲酸甲酯用Cu-Mn催化剂的制备

合成气;合成甲酸甲酯用Cu-Mn催化剂的制备     

Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Used as MRI Contrast Agents: A Parametric Study

Colloidal iron oxides play an important role as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. The superparamagnetic particles actually used are constituted by solid cores (diameter of 5-15 nm), generally coated by a thick polysaccharidic layer (hydrodynamic radii of 30-100 nm), and formulated by direct coprecipitation of iron salts in the presence of polymeric material. To better control the synthesis, we attempted to formulate new stable uncoated superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Colloids were generated by coprecipitation of an aqueous solution of iron salts and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) solution. The influence of parameters such as media composition, iron media, injection fluxes, Fe and TMAOH concentrations, temperature, and oxygen on size, magnetic and magnetic resonance relaxometric properties, and colloidal stability of particles were evaluated. We have determined the relative importance of these parameters as well as the optimal conditions for obtaining uncoated stable particles with an average size of 5 nm and interesting relaxivities. The interpretation of the observed limits takes into account diffusibilities of reactants and product, feeding rates of reactants, and surface properties of nanoparticles. A model of synthesis, related to spontaneous emulsification of suspensions, is proposed. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.     

Design of novel,simple, and inexpensive 3D printing-based miniaturized electrochemical platform containing embedded disposable detector for analytical applications

This paper describes the development of a novel, simple, and inexpensive electrochemical device containing an integrated and disposable three-electrode system for detection. The base of this platform consists on a PDMS structure containing microchannels which were prototyped using 3D-printed molds. Pencil graphite leads were inserted into these microchannels and utilized as working, counter and reference electrodes in a novel design. Morphological analysis and electrochemical experiments with benchmark redox probes were carried out in order to evaluate the performance and characterize the miniaturized device proposed. Even using inexpensive materials and a simple fabrication protocol, the electrochemical platform developed provided good repeatability and reproducibility over a low cost (ca. $2 per device), acceptable lifetime (ca. 250 voltammetric runs) and extremely reduced consumption of samples and reagents (order of µL). As proof of concept, the analytical feasibility of the platform was investigated through the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DOPA) and acetaminophen (AC). The two analytes showed linear dependence on the concentration range from 1 to 15 µM and the LODs achieved were 0.21 µM for DOPA and 0.29 µM for AC. Moreover, the platform was successfully applied on the determination of DOPA and AC in spiked blood serum and urine samples. The results obtained with the device described here were better than some reports in literature that use more costly electrodic materials and complex modification steps for the detection of the same analytes.     

Systematic mechanochemical preparation of a series of coordination pillared layer frameworks

A detailed investigation into the mechanochemical synthesis of coordination pillared-layer frameworks (CPLs), particularly CPL-1, was carried out. In the case of CPL-1, a two-step reaction was observed (from the starting reactants to the final product). In the conventional solution process, no intermediate state was detected. We found that moisture is essential in both the reaction steps. After the final product was washed, it showed the same sorption ability as the product prepared from a solution process. We further demonstrated the systematic preparation of other CPLs (CPL-2, 3, 4, 5, and 15) by the mechanochemical method under humid conditions, even though some of the ligands are almost insoluble in water. Our findings indicate that mechanochemical synthesis is a promising alternative method for the systematic and large-scale production of PCPs. Its advantages include the following: reduced pollution, low cost, simplicity of the process, ease of handling, efficient reaction rate, selectivity, and the issue of low solubility of reactants is overcome.     

An electrochemically driven poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic actuator: oxygen sensing and programmable flows and pH gradients

We describe the fabrication and performance of an integrated microelectrochemical reactor-a design possessing utility for multiple applications that include electrochemical sensing, the generation and manipulation of in-channel microfluidic pH gradients, and fluid actuation and flow. The device architecture is based on a three-electrode electrochemical cell design that incorporates a Pt interdigitated array (IDA) working (WE), a Pt counter (CE), and Ag pseudo-reference (RE) electrodes within a microfluidic network in which the WE is fully immersed in a liquid electrolyte confined in the channels. The microchannels are made from a conventional poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS) elastomer, which serves also as a thin gas-permeable membrane through which gaseous reactants in the external ambient environment are supplied to the working electrode by diffusion. Due to the high permeability of oxygen through PDMS, the microfluidic cell supports significantly (>order of magnitude) higher current densities in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) than those measured in conventional (quiescent) electrochemical cells for the same electrode areas. We demonstrate in this work that, when operated at constant potential under mass transport control, the device can be utilized as a membrane-covered oxygen sensor, the response of which can be tuned by varying the thickness of the PDMS membrane. Depending on the experimental conditions under which the electrochemical ORR is performed, the data establish that the device can be operated as both a programmable pH gradient generator and a microfluidic pump.     

Polymeric Schiff Bases. III. Some Prototype Exchange Reactions of Schiff Bases

The amine moiety in Schiff bases can be exchanged quantitatively by another amine to yield new Schiff bases if the volatility of the replacing amine is lower than the derived amine, thereby allowing the latter to distilled from the reaction mass. This amine exchange was shown to be quantitative also for diamines and di-Schiff bases. Similarly, quantitative conversions were found for aldehydes and acetal exchanges with Schiff bases for both monofunctional and difunctional reactants. The bis exchange, involving two complementary Schiff bases, was quantitative also when the reactants were so selected that one of the new derived Schiff bases could be removed by distillation. The bis exchange was demonstrated with mono and di-Schiff bases.

Mechanisms are suggested for these Schiff base exchange reactions: attempts to isolate the proposed intermediates physically were unsuccessful; however spectroscopic evidence indicates the formation of intermediate compounds.

The Schiff base exchanges involving polyfunctional reactants are of interest in the synthesis of polymers.     

The polymerization of aniline at a solution-gelatin gel interface

Gelatin gel swollen with the solution of aniline hydrochloride was exposed to a solution of ammonium peroxydisulfate. The reactants met at the gel interface, and the redox reaction between them produced a polyaniline (PANI) interlayer, a PANI membrane, at first. The electrons abstracted from the aniline molecules in the gel during the oxidation are transferred through a conducting PANI membrane to oxidant molecules in the external solution. The reaction between aniline and peroxydisulfate thus takes place without the need for the reactant molecules to physically meet. PANI, therefore, grows from the interface into the gelatin gel. When the loci of reactants are reversed, i.e. the oxidant is inside the gelatin gel and aniline hydrochloride in the surrounding solution, PANI grows from the gel interface into the aniline solution but some PANI is produced inside the gelatin gel, too. Composite PANI-gelatin gels were separated and gelatin was removed from them by acid hydrolysis. The resulting PANI had a granular morphology and a conductivity of the order of units S cm⁻¹, slightly lower compared with PANI prepared in a common way by mixing the solutions of reactants. The differences in the details of molecular structure are discussed on the basis of FTIR spectra.