Fabrication and packaging of a mass-producible capillary-assembled microchip for simple and multiplexed bioassay

Abstract

We describe the fabrication and simple packaging of a mass-producible analytical microdevice, the third-generation capillary-assembled microchip (CAs-CHIP-3G), capable of single-step and multiplexed bioassay. The packaged CAs-CHIP format is an assembly of a laminated-dry reagent-release capillary (dRRC) array (CAs-CHIP-3G), paper pad, and vinyl tape (electrical tape) that acts as biosensor array, absorbent of excess sample solution, and adhesive for forming sample introduction microchannel, respectively. Sample introduction is carried out by simply piercing the vinyl tape with syringe and subsequent manual injection. No external pump is necessary since the fluid actuation for sample introduction into the dRRC array and subsequent removal of excess sample solution by paper pad are both spontaneously occurred by capillary action. Evaporation of sample solution is prevented by sealing both ends of dRRC array with oil allowing long time incubation for enzyme reaction. To demonstrate the potential application for simple and multiplexed bioassay, multiplexed glycosidase enzymes (α- and β-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, α-mannosidase) assay are carried out as an example.