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Microfluidics-based immunoassays by using an integrated fluorescence detection system

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Abstract

This manuscript presents an integrated fluorescence detection system including a disposable microfluidic chip integrated with an optical fiber for fluorescence immunoassays. When fluid samples and reagents were transported to the microfluidic chip by a MEMS-based micropump, the fluorescent light, which was induced by the excitation light from an LED coupled into the detection area of the microchannel through an optical fiber, was detected by a PMT. The system was able to detect from 1 to 1,000 μg/L fluorescein with a correlation coefficient of 0.966. In order to demonstrate the capability of the developed system further, human IgG was measured by the dual-antibody sandwich method by using this detection system. Several critical parameters such as different surface modification methods for antibody immobilization and various primary antibody concentrations of the sandwich immunoassays were optimized. Under the optimal condition, the detection range of human IgG was 0.16–20 mg/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9802. The integrated fluorescence detection system has the potential to be used in the field of on-line point-of-care clinical testing.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 60701019, 60976088 and 60971071).

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Correspondence to Xing Chen.

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Chen, X., Cui, D., Li, H. et al. Microfluidics-based immunoassays by using an integrated fluorescence detection system. Microsyst Technol 16, 2049–2055 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-010-1150-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-010-1150-5

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