Hey guys,
for an application I will need to a semipermeable membrane into a microfluidic chip. It should catch the DNA after an electrophoretic run.
The constraints are:
- MWCO at 2 kDa
- storable / not easily biodegradable
- low electrical resistance when trenched in a conductive solution
Do you have any suggestions? Are there hydrogels which are better suited than others?
Thanks
I guess the hydrogel will be the best bet at these conditions but may catch your unwanted scaffolds too.
Multiple ways for integrating membranes on microfluidic devices have been performed.
The first way would be the direct incorporation of membranes into the chip. This incorporation is done by either clamping or gluing the membrane on a layer or between two layers. As the simplest way to integrate a membrane in a microfluidic chip, the method also presents disadvantages: the fluids used (for instance inorganic substances) are combined with polymeric membranes and they can get sucked in between cover plates. The other problem is that when we glue the membrane, the glue can easily fill the pores of the membrane, thus blocking transport.
A method to overcome this problem is the use of micro stereo-lithography: a chip in 3D is prepared from a photo curable liquid polymer by using a UV beam. Thus, the membrane is put in a precursor solution, eliminating the need for a sealing step. Then, the non-crossed polymers are washed away after the chip preparation.
The way that I have planned for my own work was to use a box like shoes' box by using lithography and inside box create two slites. The solid membrane would be prepared and then shift inside the site. Something like the old camera. The negative film would be replaced by the membrane. I have not tried it yet. I worry about the leakage but it seems there might be a way for it as well. I am not sure it works for soft membranes.
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