3D Printed Microfluidic Devices for Microchip Electrophoresis of Preterm Birth Biomarkers

This work demonstrates for the first
time the creation of microchip
electrophoresis devices with ∼50 μm cross-sectional dimensions
by stereolithographic 3D printing and their application in the analysis
of medically significant biomarkers related to risk for preterm birth
(PTB). We determined that device current was linear with applied potential
up to 800 V (620 V/cm). We optimized device and separation conditions
using fluorescently labeled amino acids as a model system and compared
the performance in our 3D printed microfluidic devices to that in
other device materials commonly used for microchip electrophoresis
analysis. We demonstrated for the first time microchip electrophoresis
in a 3D printed device of three PTB biomarkers, including peptides
and a protein, with suitable separation characteristics. Limits of
detection for microchip electrophoresis in 3D printed microfluidic
devices were also determined for PTB biomarkers to be in the high
picomolar to low nanomolar range.