Enhancing protease activity assay in droplet-based microfluidics using a biomolecule concentrator

J Am Chem Soc. 2011 Jul 13;133(27):10368-71. doi: 10.1021/ja2036628. Epub 2011 Jun 20.

Abstract

We introduce an integrated microfluidic device consisting of a biomolecule concentrator and a microdroplet generator, which enhances the limited sensitivity of low-abundance enzyme assays by concentrating biomolecules before encapsulating them into droplet microreactors. We used this platform to detect ultralow levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) from diluted cellular supernatant and showed that it significantly (~10-fold) reduced the time required to complete the assay and the sample volume used.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblasts / enzymology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / analysis*
  • Mice
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Microfluidics / instrumentation*
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Matrix Metalloproteinases