We are working to develop miniaturized tools to analyze for maternal blood serum protein and peptide biomarkers that indicate risk for preterm birth (PTB), which is a complication that affects about 1 in 10 pregnancies. We initially utilized planar microfluidic devices fabricated using conventional approaches to perform microchip electrophoresis and measure limits of detection for a panel of these PTB biomarkers, as well as to integrate multiple sample processing steps to automate the analysis. However, yields for making complex, integrated devices by conventional micromachining were lower than desired; thus, we now utilize a home-built 3D printer to make complex, three-dimensional microfluidic channels as small as ~20 microns square. We created immunoaffinity monoliths in 3D printed microchips that have an integrated monolith positioning mask, and demonstrated the extraction of PTB biomarkers from blood serum using these columns. We also performed microchip electrophoresis of PTB biomarkers in 3D printed microfluidic devices; and characterized electroosmotic flow, injection peak shape, and limits of detection. Our present efforts entail development of sample enrichment and fluorescence labeling capabilities in 3D printed devices, and combining multiple sample handling processes to create integrated analysis systems. These 3D printed microchips offer promising capabilities for the analysis of disease-linked molecular biomarkers found in blood.

Analyzing maternal blood serum preterm birth risk biomarkers in 3D printed microfluidic devices

2019 Fall National Meeting

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