PDMS-based microfluidics for proteomic analysis

A microfluidic poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microdevice was realized, combining on-line protein electrophoretic separation, selection, and digestion of a protein of interest for identification by mass spectrometry. The system includes eight integrated valves and one micropump dedicated to control the flow operations. Myoglobin was successfully isolated from bovine serum albumin (BSA), then selected using integrated valves and digested in a rotary micromixer. Proteolytic peptides were recovered from the micromixer for protein identification. Total analysis from sample injection to protein identification is performed under 30 minutes, with samples of tens of nanolitres. The paper shows that PDMS technology can be successfully used for integrating complex preparation protocols of proteic samples prior to MS analysis.