Microfluidic chip-capillary electrophoresis devices for metabolomics applications

Abstract

The recently developed Microfluidic chip-Capillary Electrophoresis (Microchip-CE) devices provides a promising tool for metabolomics applications due to its capability for onsite analysis, quick turn-over for results and flexibility to handle complex and highly variable samples through on-demand sample preparation at microchip prior to high efficient CE separation and analyte-specific detection. In the present presentation, we shall discuss the design and application of microchip-CE devices as a tool to assess toxicity due to exposure to pesticides and food adulterated with toxic chemicals. The design and fabrication of microchip-CE devices to handle samples with high analyte variability and the enhancement of detection reliability via on-chip standard addition and specific detection will be discussed. Results for determining metabolites in urine and body fluids will be presented to illustrate the principle and applicability of the devices developed and fabricated for metabolomics applications.