I had used a closed micro-channel (0.5 mm height, 5 mm wide) for an immunological reaction. I wish to re-use the same for some minor experiments, and need to remove a small layer of the acrylic surface (say 1 micron or less), such that the surface is as good as new. How can this be done?
Getting new channels for such indicative experiments is not economical and rather time consuming, and this is why we wish to reuse the channels.
Dear Rohan,
The best way to clean microfluidic channels for biological / biochemical experiments I have found is to use about 1% solution of a powder mix for chemical glassware cleaning. It is a mix of sodium hydroxide and sodium dichloroisocyanurate. Simply put the solution in incubate for about 30 minutes at room temperature and wash well. It removes virtually all proteins from the channels.
If you find this procedure too (chemically) agressive a stripping buffer used to remove bound antibodies from western blot membranes can be helpfull.
In addition to the mentioned chemical cleaning method , you could also ultrasonicate the device filled with the cleaning solution or a mild detergent solution.
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