Reagent Integration

Microfluidic equipment has an important role in narrowing the scale of chemistry and biochemical reactions, making it faster, better, and more efficient. Microfluidic lab-on-chip equipment usually requires reagent integration. The reagent required to pre-installed the device can simplify the use process and reduce the processing step and the error associated with the user because the amount and composition of the reagent have been determined.

Alfa Chemistry provides the latest methods and strategies that integrate various types of reagents into the internal interior of the microfluid. We use a number of methods for integrating and releasing the reagent, involving reagents in drying and liquid form, direct integrated reagents or reagents, active agents, as well as passive and mixed release methods.

If you are interested in the integration of our product reagents, we will be happy to provide suggestions.

What we can provide

• Immobilization of reagents in microfluidic devices

Due to the high surface volume ratio, the microfluidic devices facilitate surface-based reactions. Such reactions typically employ chemical ligands, antibodies, enzymes, or catalysts that are fixed to the surface and react with molecules in the solution. We offer the following two methods of fixed reagents:

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  Immobilisation of reagents on carriers and their integration

  So far, the beads are the most common carrier. Alfa Chemistry provides a bead that has been surfaced functionalized with a biomolecule or chemical ligand. Typically, we mediate the reagents on the surface by passively adsorbing or using cross-linking chemistry for covalent connection. In some cases, we use the reactive group directly to connect the biomolecule. We can also chemically modify porous hydrogels to specifically and effectively bind analyte molecules.

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  Direct patterning of reagents on surfaces inside the devices

  In some applications, the reagent needs to be patterned directly on the sensor surface is typically located inside the microfluidic device. In the lateral stream test, we usually use spray deposition to generate capture molecular lines. For non-contact, additive and maskless patterning of reagents onto surfaces, inkjet printing is our technology of choice. It can be used to deposit almost all dissolved or dispersed reagents on any target surface. Besides, we also use deposited deposition in the channel to secure the micron-sized reagents on the surface without complex instruments.

Fig.1 (a) Electrostatically charged beads are self-assembled onto charged patterns inside a microchannel. (b) Beads are immobilized inside hydrogel pillars that were crosslinked using UV irradiation.(Hitzblecka M, et al. 2013)

• On-chip storage in dried or liquid form

We usually store the reagents in a dry form on the chip, which will be reconstituted during the measurement process. One of the benefits is that the shelf life of the product can be extended. The most common method of dispensing reagents on a substrate is by spotting the reagent array and then drying it. Reagents can also be stored in liquid form. In these cases, the liquid is mostly contained in an integrated blister.

• Integrated liquid reagent storage

We use a thin sealed blister that can be integrated into the chip to store one or more liquid reagents or buffers on the chip. Under the action of simple finger pressure or force exerted by a mechanical system, the blister releases an accurate volume of reagent or buffer.

Reference

• Hitzblecka M, et al. (2013). "Reagents in Microfluidics: an 'In' and 'Out' Challenge." Chemical Society Reviews. 42: 8494-8516.

Our products and services are for research use only.