Abstract
We have developed a polymer-based, integrated microfluidic system, which is capable of performing protein separation and fluorescence labeling in series, for the detection of targeted biomarkers inside cells or body fluids. The device incorporated a side channel to transport a fluorogenic dye, 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl) quinoline-2- carboxaldehyde) or CBQCA, to the end section of the separation channel for the post-column tagging of proteins of interest. We have successfully fabricated microchips from poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, and performed separation and labeling of model analytes as well as a widely used biomarker, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), using these devices. © 2009 CBMS.