RMIT Classification: Trusted

Lab on a Chip

EEET2498 / EEET2391

Assignment 2

Design of microfluidic systems

Course coordinator:

Associate Professor Khashayar Khoshmanesh

[email protected]

School of Engineering

RMIT University

RMIT Classification: Trusted

Question 1: Design a microfluidic system for analysis of blood samples with the following

specific tasks. (25 marks)

1a. Dilute the blood sample with cell buffer with the volume ratio of blood to cell buffer

reaching 1:5. (5 marks)

1b. Separate white blood cells from the diluted sample. (5 marks)

1c. Immobilise white blood cells in single traps. (5 marks)

1d. Apply a suspension containing bacterial pathogens to immobilised white blood cells.

(5 marks)

1e. Analyse the interaction between the immobilised white blood cells and bacterial

pathogens using an automated inverted microscope. (5 marks)

Note:

You need to draw the system’s design. The design can be hand drawn but needs to be clear,

clean, and tidy.

Indicate the key elements in your design.

Select the appropriate mechanisms for the key elements and briefly justify your selection.

Specify and draw any supporting equipment you might need to operate any of the key elements.

RMIT Classification: Trusted

Question 2: Design a smartphone enabled microfluidic system for point-of-care diagnostics

purposes, which the following specific tasks. (25 marks)

2a. Drive the sample through a serpentine channel. (5 marks)

2b. Separate cells larger than 5 μm while operating at low flow rates. (5 marks)

2c. Immobilise cells in a chamber. (5 marks)

2d. Apply specific chemical agents to the immobilised cells while maintaining cells for 15

minutes at 37°C. (5 marks)

2e. Take a photo from the immobilised cells and analyse the image to detect any

colourimetric reactions (resulting in the colour change of cells), which correspond to

designated diseases. (5 marks)

Note:

You need to draw the system’s design. The design can be hand drawn but needs to be clear,

clean, and tidy.

Indicate the key elements in your design.

Select the appropriate mechanisms for the key elements and briefly justify your selection.

The device should be small, inexpensive, and easy to operate.

You are limited to the capabilities of your smartphone but can use miniaturised,

inexpensive components such as amplifiers if required.

RMIT Classification: Trusted

Question 3: Design a droplet generation microfluidic system for studying the reaction between

proteins and antibodies with the following specific tasks. (30 marks)

3a. Inject the cell sample, a solution of antibody conjugated fluorescent probes, and the lysis

buffer from separate inlets. (5 marks)

3b. Incorporate an automated microvalve to control the flow rate of the lysis buffer. (5

marks)

3c. Generate droplets containing the cell sample, the fluorescent probe solution and lysis

buffer in a biocompatible oil. (5 marks)

3d. Detect the droplets in which the fluorescent probes shine (indicating the reaction

between the proteins released from the lysed cells and the fluorescent probes.) (5 marks)

3e. Separate the droplets detected in the previous step and direct them to a different outlet.

(5 marks)

3f. Apply a specific drug into the droplets separated in the previous step. (5 marks)

Note:

You need to draw the system’s design. The design can be hand drawn but needs to be clear,

clean, and tidy.

Indicate the key elements in your design.

Select the appropriate mechanisms for the key elements and briefly justify your selection.

Specify and draw any supporting equipment you might need to operate any of the key elements.

RMIT Classification: Trusted

Question 4: Design a microfluidic system for studying the reaction between target proteins and

antibodies with the following specific tasks. (20 marks)

4a. Amplify the target nucleic acids. (10 marks)

4b. Separate the target nucleic acids using a combination of isotachophoresis and gel

electrophoresis techniques. (10 marks)

Note:

You need to draw the system’s design. The design can be hand drawn but needs to be clear,

clean, and tidy.

Indicate the key elements in your design.

Select the appropriate mechanisms for the key elements and briefly justify your selection.

Specify and draw any supporting equipment you might need to operate any of the key elements.

Specify the process of fabrication of gel electrophoresis module on-chip.