3D-printed microfluidic systems for biological analytical applications

• Grant number: 22/11346-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Effective date (Start): March 18, 2023
• Effective date (End): March 17, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Regis Longo Cesar da Paixão
• Grantee: Lauro Antonio Pradela Filho
• Supervisor: Adam Thomas Woolley
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Brigham Young University, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/00205-8 - Miniaturized and/or microfluidic analytical devices for biological applications, BP.PD

Abstract

Additive manufacturing, known as 3D printing, is an emerging technology for developing new devices for diverse applications, especially for Analytical Chemistry. Additive manufacturing uses low-cost 3D printers, affording scalable production. Besides this feature, the freedom of creation makes 3D printing a great tool for producing miniaturized devices integrated with complex functions, such as separations, pre-concentration, and detection systems, generating lab-on-a-chip systems. These systems typically use low volumes of samples and reagents, allowing the generation of portable analytical devices for point-of-need applications. Additive manufacturing allows printing of the entire system, representing a considerable advance in the field since it can avoid leaking between externally connected devices in microfluidic platforms. Stereolithography and fused deposition modeling are additive manufacturing processes that will be used to fabricate microfluidic platforms. Electrophoresis will be used as a separation technique for the proposed microchips. The separation system will be combined with optical and/or electrochemical detection, increasing the analytical applicability of the microfluidic system and addressing problems associated with selectivity. The proposed system will be explored to determine biomarkers in blood, saliva, and sweat samples. Among the species, preterm birth (PTB) biomarkers will be investigated in this project. Prof. Woolley's Research Group has great experience developing 3D printed microfluidic platforms for PTB biomarkers. Additionally, glucose and lactate are also considered potential analytes to evaluate the analytical applicability of the microfluidic systems. Therefore, this project aims to develop complete and miniaturized 3D-printed microfluidic systems to perform microfluidic analysis to quantify species of biological interest. The knowledge acquired from this project will be fundamental to strengthening the research ties between Brazil and United States involving Analytical Chemistry. (AU)