Can someone please explain to me what is
thermoplastic microfluidic and how it can be useful in molecular diagnostic labs?
Thanks in advance.
With the name itself it is clear that the microfluidic device made of a thermoplastic is called thermoplastic microfluidic device and its use in a methodology is named after the material.
To understand how can it be used.... you need to focus on your lectures and class notes.
These are microfluidics fabricated in thermoplastic materials, such as PMMA, PC, COC, or COP. They can be fabricated via a number of ways, such as hot embossing, injection molding, or imprinting (lithography) to name just a few... They are very suitable for mass-production and can be cheaply made (~$1 / device) once you have a working master mold.
They are applicable in molecular diagnostic labs because you can easily functionalize biologicals (such as antibodies) to their surface, which could then be used to capture a target (such as an APC).
They are advantageous over "traditional" PDMS devices because PDMS devices undergo hydrophobic recovery, which, over time, makes the filling of devices more and more difficult. Moreover, the various properties of the different thermoplastics can be even more advantageous over PDMS (optical properties, resistance to solvents, etc...)
There are many easily accessible review papers on the topic to read what thermoplastic microfluidics are... but this should be a satisfactory answer on the surface level.
I'd hate to be biased ... but check out some papers from the Soper group from the University of Kansas to learn more about thermoplastic microfluidics! :)
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