[58] Microfluidics in Molecular Biology Flashcards
What is microfluidics?
It’s the science of manipulating and controlling fluids, usually in the range of microliters (10^-6) to picoliters (10^-12), in networks of channels with dimensions from tens to hundreds of micrometers.
How is microfluidics applied in molecular biology?
It’s used for precise control and manipulation of biological samples at the microscale, useful in areas like DNA analysis, cell biology, and proteomics.
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
What advantages does microfluidics offer for molecular biology experiments?
- Reduced sample and reagent volumes
- Faster reactions
- High throughput
- Parallelization of assays
How does microfluidics contribute to DNA analysis?
It enables miniaturization and automation of DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing techniques, improving efficiency and precision.
What does PCR stand for?
Polymerase Chain Reaction
What is a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device?
A device that integrates one or several laboratory functions on a single chip of only millimeters to a few square centimeters in size.
How does microfluidics help in cell biology studies?
It allows precise control of cellular environment, facilitating single-cell analysis and studies on cell signaling, migration, and interaction.
What is microfabrication in the context of microfluidics?
The process used to create the microscale fluidic structures that microfluidic devices rely on.
What are some techniques used in microfabrication?
- Photolithography
- Soft lithography
- Etching
What does LOC stand for?
Lab-on-a-chip
How does microfluidics contribute to proteomics?
It enables high-throughput, precise, and automated protein analysis, including separation, identification, and quantification.
What is soft lithography in the context of microfluidics?
A set of techniques for fabricating or replicating structures using elastomeric stamps and molds.
What is the role of microchannels in microfluidic systems?
They guide the movement of fluids, controlling their flow and direction.
What materials are commonly used to make microfluidic devices?
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
- Glass
- Polymers
What does PDMS stand for?
Polydimethylsiloxane
How does a droplet-based microfluidic system work?
It forms and manipulates discrete microscale droplets within an immiscible carrier fluid, each droplet acting as a separate microreactor.
How does microfluidics improve high-throughput screening?
It enables parallelization and miniaturization, allowing many samples to be processed simultaneously with reduced reagent usage.
What does high-throughput screening mean in molecular biology?
It’s a method for scientific experimentation that uses automated technology to quickly assay the biological activity of a large number of drug candidates or genes.
What is the role of pressure and flow control in microfluidics?
It ensures precise control of fluid movement within microchannels, enabling accurate manipulation of samples and reactions.
