Agarose Gel Microfluidic Device
Agarose Gel Microfluidic Device - Related Videos
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Assessing Neural Stem Cell Motility Using an Agarose Gel-based Microfluidic Device
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We demonstrate that the over expression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) enhances the motility of neural stem cells(NSCs) using a novel agarose gel based microfluidic device. This technology can be readily adaptable to other mammalian cell systems where cell sources are scarce, such as human neural stem cells, and the turn around time is critical.
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DNA Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
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2021
Agarose gel electrophoresis is a laboratory technique commonly used to separate DNA fragments by size. However, it can also be used to isolate and purify DNA fragments using a gel extraction protocol. Gel extraction follows five major steps: running gel electrophoresis to separate fragments, isolating the individual bands, extracting DNA from those bands, and removing the dye and salts from the extracted mixture to obtain pure DNA. In cloning experiments, both the insert and vector DNA...
07:10
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis for the Separation of DNA Fragments
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Cited by 599 •
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A basic protocol for the separation of DNA fragments using agarose gel electrophoresis is described.
10:18
Multi-step Variable Height Photolithography for Valved Multilayer Microfluidic Devices
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Multilayer microfluidic devices often involve the fabrication of master molds with complex geometries for functionality. This article presents a complete protocol for multi-step photolithography with valves and variable height features tunable to any application. As a demonstration, we fabricate a microfluidic droplet generator capable of producing hydrogel beads.
FAQs
The device's separation behavior depends on two coupled features: agarose resists and sieves moving molecules, while microscale channels constrain the sample path. Under pressure-driven flow or an applied electric field, DNA, RNA, and proteins acquire different mobilities. The resulting movement allows molecular species to be distinguished by size, charge, or mobility rather than simply by their presence.
Agarose provides the porous matrix that makes size-based discrimination possible within the device. Its gel network functions as a molecular sieve, so molecules do not all travel identically through the confined path. In combination with an electric field, the matrix supports gel electrophoresis; with pressure-driven flow, it remains part of the channel environment governing sample movement and separation.
Pressure-driven flow physically moves samples through confined paths, whereas an electric field drives movement through the same microscale environment. These alternatives give the device different ways to transport biological molecules through agarose. Since separation can reflect size, charge, or mobility, the selected driving mode is part of the analytical design.
A typical analysis places a biological sample within the device's microscale pathway, then uses pressure-driven flow or an applied electric field to move it through agarose. As the sample travels, the gel mediates molecular separation. The resulting distribution of DNA, RNA, or proteins can then be analyzed as an output of the run.
Core components are an agarose gel region, microscale channels, a biological sample, and a means of generating either pressure-driven flow or an electric field. Together, these elements create a controlled route for molecular transport. The miniaturized format supports small-volume operation and can reduce reagent use during biological analysis.
This platform is useful when biological analysis must be rapid and compact while using small sample volumes and reduced reagent amounts. The identified applications include molecular biology and diagnostics. Its integration of molecular separation with microscale fluid handling also supports the development of compact, automated laboratory systems for analyzing DNA, RNA, and proteins.
Movement patterns provide information about molecular behavior rather than only sample composition. Separation according to size, charge, or mobility can help distinguish components in DNA, RNA, or protein samples. Because the platform uses confined microscale paths and small volumes, these analytical observations can be incorporated into rapid, compact, and potentially automated biological workflows.