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Microfluidic Devices for Genetic Analysis and Gene Expression Studies

Citation

Liu, Jian (2007) Microfluidic Devices for Genetic Analysis and Gene Expression Studies. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/xnm0-4a75. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-04122007-134232

Abstract

Microfluidic devices hold the promise of becoming the next-generation laboratory platforms by offering many possible benefits in chemistry, biology, and medicine. However, microfluidics is still in its infancy at present, requiring a great deal of work before it can become more than an active research field in academia. This thesis describes efforts by the author in developing microfluidic technologies for applications in genetics. Section I describes the development of miniaturized devices for genetic analysis. Successful nucleic acid amplifications by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been demonstrated within a reaction volume as small as 700 picoliters. In section II, the concept of a microfluidic matrix chip is described and has been experimentally realized to solve the "macroscopic/microfluidic" interface problem. The matrix chip also provides a flexible platform to perform combinatorial tests with high throughput performance. Section III presents an application example of the microfluidic matrix chip in gene expression studies, providing quantitative profiles of gene isoforms by alternative splicing in a high throughput manner. In the section IV, a microfluidic chaotic mixer has been developed to accelerate the process and enhance the hybridization signals of DNA microarray experiments. These devices represent significant advances in microfluidics, with the following goals achieved: improved sensitivity and reliability of assays, reduction of consumption of reagents or analytes into desired economies of scale, and dramatic reduction of the time and complexity of "hands-on" manipulations, therefore providing experimental results in a high throughput manner.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Alternative Splicing; DNA microarray; Microfabrication; Miniaturization; PCR
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Quake, Stephen R.
Thesis Committee:
  • Goddard, William A., III (chair)
  • Baldeschwieler, John D.
  • Collier, C. Patrick
  • Quake, Stephen R.
Defense Date:29 September 2006
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-04122007-134232
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-04122007-134232
DOI:10.7907/xnm0-4a75
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Liu, Jian0000-0002-0095-8978
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:1364
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:02 May 2007
Last Modified:16 Apr 2020 18:36

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