In this dissertation, microfluidic systems that integrate antibody-based sample preparation methods with electrophoretic separation are developed to analyze multiple biomarkers in a point-of-care setting. To form an affinity column, both monolith materials and wall-coated channels were explored. I successfully demonstrated that monolith columns can be prepared in microfluidic devices via photopolymerization. The selectivity of monolith columns was improved by immobilizing antibodies on the surface. These affinity columns can selectively enrich target analytes and reduce the signal of contaminant proteins up to 25,000 fold after immunoaffinity extraction. These results clearly demonstrate that microchip affinity monoliths can selectively concentrate and purify target analytes through specific antibody-antigen interactions. These monolith columns operated well for simple systems such as buffered solution, but suffered from clogging with real biological samples such as human serum. Therefore, I developed new affinity columns using a wall coating protocol. To form the affinity columns, a thin film of a reactive polymer was UV polymerized in a microchannel. Antibodies were attached by reaction between the polymer epoxy groups and antibody amine groups. All steps, including loading, washing, and elution for affinity extraction, as well as capillary electrophoresis analysis, were achieved simply via applying voltages to reservoirs on the microdevice. By adding reservoirs containing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) standard into the same device, a quantitative method, either standard addition or calibration curve, can also be performed on-chip. These polymer microdevices have been applied in determining AFP levels in spiked serum samples, and the results are comparable with the values measured using a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit. These microchips have also been adapted for detection of multiple biomarkers by immobilizing different antibodies on the affinity column. Four kinds of antibodies were attached to microchip columns, and the amounts of immobilized antibodies were characterized. The fluorescence signals of all four protein antigens were in the same range after rinsing, indicating that the derivatization reaction had little bias toward any of the four antibodies. With spiked human blood serum samples, four proteins in the ng/mL range were simultaneously quantified using both calibration curves and standard addition. In general, the calibration curve and standard addition results were close to the known spiked concentrations. These results indicate that my integrated microdevices can selectively retain and analyze targeted compounds in clinical samples. Moreover, my platform is generalizable and applicable for the simultaneous quantification of multiple biomarkers in complex matrices.

Biomarkers present a non-invasive means of detecting cancer because they can be obtained from body fluids. They can also be used for prognosis and assessing response to treatment. To limit interferences it is essential to pretreat biological samples before analysis. Sample preparation methods include extraction of analyte from an unsuitable matrix, purification, concentration or dilution and labeling. The many advantages offered by microfluidics include portability, speed, automation and integration. Because of the difficulties encountered in integrating this step in microfluidic devices most sample preparation methods are often carried out off-chip. In the fabrication of micro-total analysis systems it is important that all steps be integrated in a single platform. To fabricate polymeric microdevices, I prepared templates from silicon wafers by the process of photolithography. The design on the template was transferred to a polymer piece by hot embossing, and a complete device was formed by bonding the imprinted piece with a cover plate. I prepared affinity columns in these devices and used them for protein extraction. The affinity monolith was prepared from reactive monomers to facilitate immobilization of antibodies. Extraction and concentration of biomarkers on this column showed specificity to the target molecule. This shows that biomarkers could be extracted, purified and concentrated with the use of microfluidic affinity columns.I prepared negatively charged ion-permeable membranes in poly(methyl methacrylate) microchips by in situ polymerization just beyond the injection intersection. Cancer marker proteins were electrophoretically concentrated at the intersection by exclusion from this membrane on the basis of both size and charge, prior to microchip capillary electrophoresis. I optimized separation conditions to achieve baseline separation of the proteins. Band broadening and peak tailing were limited by controlling the preconcentration time. Under my optimized conditions a 40-fold enrichment of bovine serum albumin was achieved with 4 min of preconcentration while >10-fold enrichment was obtained for cancer biomarker proteins with just 1 min of preconcentration. I have also demonstrated that the processes of sample enrichment, on-chip fluorescence labeling and purification could be automated in a single voltage-driven platform. This required the preparation of a reversed-phase monolithic column, polymerized from butyl methacrylate monomers, in cyclic olefin copolymer microdevices. Samples enriched through solid phase extraction were labeled on the column, and much of the unreacted dye was rinsed off before elution. The retention and elution characteristics of fluorophores, amino acids and proteins on these columns were investigated. A linear relationship between eluted peak areas and protein concentration demonstrated that this technique could be used to quantify on-chip labeled samples. This approach could also be used to simultaneously concentrate, label and separate multiple proteins.

New strategies for integrating sample pretreatment with chemical analyses under a single format is required for rapid, sensitive and enantioselective analyses of low abundance metabolites in complex biological samples. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) offers a unique environment for controlling analyte/reagent band dispersion and electromigration properties using a discontinuous electrolyte system allowing for highly efficient separations to be achieved. A fundamental study of the thermodynamic and electrokinetic parameters influencing enantioselectivity in chiral CE separation is first examined. A new strategy for single-step analysis of low abundance metabolites via online sample preconcentration with chemical derivatization by CE (SPCD-CE) is then detailed within. In-capillary sample preconcentration serves to enhance concentration sensitivity via electrokinetic focusing of long sample injection volumes for lower detection limits, whereas chemical derivatization by zone passing of single or multiple reagents is used to expand detectability and selectivity, notably for enantiomeric resolution of metabolites lacking intrinsic chromophores. Together, on-line SPCD-CE can provide over a 100-fold improvement in concentration sensitivity, shorter total analysis times, reduced sample handling and improved reliability for a variety of biologically relevant amino acid and amino sugar metabolites, which is also amenable to automated high-throughput screening. The basic method development and optimization parameters relevant to SPCD-CE, including applications to bacterial metabolite flux and biomarker analyses are discussed. Insight into the mechanism of analyte focusing and labelling during electromigration by SPCD-CE is also presented, as well as future directions for continued research using this unique integrated analytical platform. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第24234号 / 工博第5062号 / 新制||工||1790(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科材料化学専攻 / (主査)教授 大塚 浩二, 教授 沼田 圭司, 教授 大内 誠 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

Metabolomics is the systematic analysis of low-molecular weight compounds (metabolites) within biological systems that represent molecular endpoints of gene expression and environmental exposures. A major goal of metabolomics is achieving better understanding of the pathophysiology of complex disease processes while elucidating mechanisms of action of nutrients, toxins, and/or drugs. Multisegment injection-capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (MSI-CE-MS) is a high-throughput microseparation platform that is ideal for the analysis of polar/ionic metabolites from volume-restricted biological samples. This thesis includes two major metabolomics projects using MSI-CE-MS that are aimed at contributing new advances in public health and chronic disease prevention. Chapter II presents an analysis of the metabolome from patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) — a genetic disease affecting phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism that requires lifelong dietary restriction to prevent irreversible intellectual disabilities. A targeted and nontargeted metabolomics approach using matching urine and plasma samples was conducted to confirm known markers of PKU and identify new markers associated with dietary adherence and disease progression. Along with increased excretion of Phe catabolites in urine, high plasma Phe was associated with decreased excretion of acylcarnitines and greater excretion of histidine catabolites, suggesting impaired fatty acid oxidation and micronutrient deficiencies, respectively. Overall, this may provide a strategy to objectively monitor dietary adherence beyond standard dietary records or patient recall. Chapter III investigates the impact of electronic cigarette smoke exposure on the placental metabolome as a model cell line of fetal development. Evidence of altered amino acid metabolism, in addition to changes in acylcarnitines and metabolites associated with cellular proliferation, were observed in more susceptible first trimester placental cells and were attributed to flavouring agents irrespective of nicotine dosage. This work supports the hypothesis that flavoured e-cigarette formulations pose a significant health risk in comparison to unflavoured formulations and supports the need for further risk assessment and careful regulation of these products to prevent deleterious birth outcomes in pregnant mothers. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This work describes the integration of a separation capillary for capillary electrophoresis (CE) with an on-column enzyme reactor for selective determination of the enzyme substrate. The enzyme reaction occurs during a capillary separation, allowing selective determination of the substrate in complex samples without the need for pre- or post- separation chemical modification of the analyte. The overall goal of this work is to develop a system in which sample introduction, separation of the analyte/substrate from other biological species, enzymatic conversion of the analyte/substrate into a detectable product, and sensitive detection are all included within a single analysis scheme. Immobilization of the enzyme is achieved by electrostatic assembly of poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) followed by adsorption of a mixture of the negatively charged enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) and anionic poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS). The reaction of glucose with the immobilized glucose oxidase produces H2O2 which migrates the length of the capillary under the influence of electroosmotic flow and is detected amperometrically at the capillary outlet. The optimal response, kinetics, and stability for the enzyme reactor are determined through characterization of several parameters including the concentration ratio of PSS:GOx, applied separation voltage, and the inner diameter of the separation capillary. Various analyte mixtures containing the substrate and other biological species were evaluated to illustrate selective separation and determination of the substrate from other biomolecules. Optimization of this electrostatically assembled capillary enzyme reactor lead to application of these parameters to similar enzymes such as glutamate oxidase. Future application to similar enzymes like L-amino acid oxidase and possible microfluidic systems is a long-term goal of the system. / Ph. D.

No / In previous reports of microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC), analysis times were typically in the order of 10 min as high-ionic strength buffers were used. These buffers produced high currents which limit the voltages which can be applied, therefore, analysis times could not be reduced. The primary cause of the high-ionic strength is the relatively high concentrations of surfactants required to form the microemulsion. The surfactant concentration can be lower when using an oil with a smaller surface tension. This preliminary study showed that migration times in MEEKC can be reduced to below 1 min by using a combination of an optimum microemulsion composition, high voltage, high temperature, short capillaries by injecting via the short end, or by simultaneously applying pressure and voltage. Long injection sequences and quantitation were found to be possible with minimum buffer depletion effects.

A Eletroforese Capilar (CE) é uma técnica de separação baseada na migração diferenciada de compostos iônicos ou ionizáveis em um campo elétrico, proporcionando alta resolução, eficiência e rapidez de análise. Para preservar a alta resolução, o volume injetado deve ser pequeno (da ordem de nanolitros), o que dificulta a análise de compostos em baixos níveis de concentração. O diminuto caminho óptico definido pelo diâmetro interno do capilar, associado ao pequeno volume injetado, compromete a detecção, principalmente quando se utiliza a absorbância em linha. Várias estratégias têm sido descritas para melhorar a sensibilidade em eletroforese capilar. Neste trabalho, as estratégias de pré-concentração (\"stacking\", amplificação de campo, isotacoforese, cela óptica de alta sensibilidade e extração em fase sólida em linha) foram aplicadas a dois sistemas químicos: o ácido tereftálico (matéria prima importante utilizada na síntese de poliésteres) e o besilato de atracúreo (um agente bloqueador neuromuscular), avaliando-se comparativamente os resultados. O primeiro sistema não se mostrou adequado para tai fim, pois o ácido tereftálico apresenta baixa solubilidade em água, sendo necessário adicionar hidróxido de sódio para dissolvê-lo, o que produzia um meio de alta condutividade, inviabilizando algumas das estratégias de pré-concentração. Porém, como o controle de impurezas no ácido tereftálico é de interesse industrial foi desenvolvido um método para a análise simultânea dos subprodutos principais: o ácido carboxibenzaldeído (4-CBA) e o ácido p-toluóico (pTO), que são controlados industrialmente por polarografia e cromatografia à gás, respectivamente. As análises foram realizadas em lotes industriais do ácido tereftálico cru (CTA) e do ácido tereftálico altamente purificado (PTA). As concentrações de 4-CBA e p-TOL (determinadas por CE) em ambos, CTA e PTA, estão de acordo com as especificações do produto. As análises mostraram a viabilidade da determinação das impurezas, sendo identificados ainda o ácido benzóico (BZ) e o 4-hidroximetilbenzóico (HMB). O segundo sistema químico escolhido, o besilato de atracúreo, foi adequado para avaliar as várias estratégias de pré-concentração, pois este composto é solúvel em água. A apresentação comercial deste produto consiste na mistura de três isômeros (cis-cis, cis-trans e trans-trans), cada um exibindo uma potência bloqueadora neuromuscular particular. Primeiramente foi desenvolvido um método para a separação dos três isômeros por CE e depois foi feito um estudo das impurezas presentes no sistema, avaliando-se a temperatura e o tempo de estocagem. Foram identificadas duas impurezas no composto: a laudanosina e o monoquaternário ácido. Foi escolhido o pico da laudanosina para avaliar as estratégias de aumento de sensibilidade devido este ser o principal composto de decomposição do atracúreo. O aumento de sensibilidade foi calculado em termos de ganho em sinal-ruído (S/R). O melhor resultado de aumento de sensibilidade para o \"stacking\" mediado por força iônica foi quando se dissolveu a amostra em água e comparou-se à mesma amostra dissolvida no tampão de corrida (o ganho em S/R foi da ordem de 25 vezes). Para as demais estratégias, a referência de partida foi uma amostra já dissolvida em água. Dentre todas as estratégias avaliadas, o maior ganho em sensibilidade foi obtido com os pré-concentradores (22,5 vezes de aumento em sinal-ruído (S/R)), mas a dificuldade de confecção não os tornam atrativos para as análises. A isotacoforese proporcionou o segundo maior aumento (7,6 vezes), comparável ao aumento de sensibilidade em campo amplificado (7,5 vezes) quando se utilizou um tampão com alta concentração de sal. Este ganho foi melhor que o da cela HS que teve aumento de 2,9 vezes em SIR, sugerindo que estas técnicas de pré-concentração podem ser utilizadas com vantagem em relação à cela HS proporcionando baixo custo. O aumento de sensibilidade não foi tão expressivo no \"stacking\" por injeção de grande volume (1,1), mas pode ser melhorado se o capilar inteiro for preenchido com a amostra. / Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) is a separation technique based on differential migration of ionic compounds in a electric field, providing high efficiency, resolution and faster analysis. To preserve high resolution, the injected volume must be small (nanoliters), which compromises the analysis of samples components in a low concentration level. The little pathlenght defined by the capillary internal diameter and a small injected volume, place a large demand on detection, especially when on-line absorbance detectors is used. Some strategies have been described to improve the capillary electrophoresis sensitivity. At this work, preconcentration techniques (stacking, field amplification, isotachophoresis, high sensitivity optical cell, and on line solid extraction) were applied to two chemical systems: terephthalic acid (an important raw material used in a polyester synthesis) and atracurium besylate (a neuromuscular blocking agent), and the results were comparatively evaluated. The first selected system was not suitable for this purpose, due to poor solubility of terephthalic acid in water. lt was necessary to work with solutions of crude and purified products prepared in 0.15 mol /L NaOH and that produced a high conductivity medium, jeopardizing some preconcentration techniques. However, since impurities control in terephthalic acid is of industrial interest, it was developed a method to simultaneously analyze major byproducts: 4-carboxybenzaldehyde (4-CBA) and toluoic acid (pTO), industrialy controlled by polarography and gas chromatography, respectively. Analysis were conducted in industrial batches of crude terephthalic acid (CTA) and highly purified terephthalic acid (PTA). Concentrations of 4-CBA and p-TOL, in both, CTA and PTA, were in agreement with product specification. The results showed the viability to determine several impurities using CE. Additionally, two other contaminants, benzoic acid (BZ) and 4-hydroxymethyl benzoic acid (HMB), were identified. The second selected system, atracurium besylate, was useful to evaluate some preconcentration strategies, because of this water solubility and ionic character. Commercial presentation of this pharmaceutical consists in a mixture of three isomers (cis-cis, cis-trans e trans-trans), which one presenting a particular neuromuscular potency. First, it was developed a method to separate the three isomers by CE and then a study of the product impurities was conducted, evaluating the temperature tolerance and shelf life. Laudanosine and a monoquaternary acid were identified impurities in the pharmaceutical. Laudanosine was selected for the evaluation of preconcentration techniques because it is the major decomposition product of atracurium besylate. Sensitivity enhancement was calculated in terms of signal-noise increase (S/R). The best results of enhancement sensitivity with \"stacking\" mediated by ionic strange was obtained when the sample was dissolved in water and it was compared to the same sample dissolved in a running buffer (signal-noise increase was 25 times). To the other strategies, the reference sample was dissolved in water). Among all evaluated strategies, the major sensitivity enhancement was obtained with preconcentrators (22,5 times), but its difficult manufaturing makes them not attractive for routine analysis. Isotachophoresis, the second best in terms of signal-noise (S/R) values (7,6 times), was comparable to field amplification sensitivity enhancement (7,5 times), when buffers with high salt concentration were used. Its enhancement was better than that of HS cell, that was signal-noise increase of 2,9 times), suggesting that these preconcentration techniques can be used with advantage in relation to HS cell providing low cost. Sensitivity enhancement was not expressive, in the large injection volumes strategy (1, 1 times), but it can be improved if the whole capillar1 is filled with sample.

A Eletroforese Capilar (CE) é uma técnica de separação baseada na migração diferenciada de compostos iônicos ou ionizáveis em um campo elétrico, proporcionando alta resolução, eficiência e rapidez de análise. Para preservar a alta resolução, o volume injetado deve ser pequeno (da ordem de nanolitros), o que dificulta a análise de compostos em baixos níveis de concentração. O diminuto caminho óptico definido pelo diâmetro interno do capilar, associado ao pequeno volume injetado, compromete a detecção, principalmente quando se utiliza a absorbância em linha. Várias estratégias têm sido descritas para melhorar a sensibilidade em eletroforese capilar. Neste trabalho, as estratégias de pré-concentração (\"stacking\", amplificação de campo, isotacoforese, cela óptica de alta sensibilidade e extração em fase sólida em linha) foram aplicadas a dois sistemas químicos: o ácido tereftálico (matéria prima importante utilizada na síntese de poliésteres) e o besilato de atracúreo (um agente bloqueador neuromuscular), avaliando-se comparativamente os resultados. O primeiro sistema não se mostrou adequado para tai fim, pois o ácido tereftálico apresenta baixa solubilidade em água, sendo necessário adicionar hidróxido de sódio para dissolvê-lo, o que produzia um meio de alta condutividade, inviabilizando algumas das estratégias de pré-concentração. Porém, como o controle de impurezas no ácido tereftálico é de interesse industrial foi desenvolvido um método para a análise simultânea dos subprodutos principais: o ácido carboxibenzaldeído (4-CBA) e o ácido p-toluóico (pTO), que são controlados industrialmente por polarografia e cromatografia à gás, respectivamente. As análises foram realizadas em lotes industriais do ácido tereftálico cru (CTA) e do ácido tereftálico altamente purificado (PTA). As concentrações de 4-CBA e p-TOL (determinadas por CE) em ambos, CTA e PTA, estão de acordo com as especificações do produto. As análises mostraram a viabilidade da determinação das impurezas, sendo identificados ainda o ácido benzóico (BZ) e o 4-hidroximetilbenzóico (HMB). O segundo sistema químico escolhido, o besilato de atracúreo, foi adequado para avaliar as várias estratégias de pré-concentração, pois este composto é solúvel em água. A apresentação comercial deste produto consiste na mistura de três isômeros (cis-cis, cis-trans e trans-trans), cada um exibindo uma potência bloqueadora neuromuscular particular. Primeiramente foi desenvolvido um método para a separação dos três isômeros por CE e depois foi feito um estudo das impurezas presentes no sistema, avaliando-se a temperatura e o tempo de estocagem. Foram identificadas duas impurezas no composto: a laudanosina e o monoquaternário ácido. Foi escolhido o pico da laudanosina para avaliar as estratégias de aumento de sensibilidade devido este ser o principal composto de decomposição do atracúreo. O aumento de sensibilidade foi calculado em termos de ganho em sinal-ruído (S/R). O melhor resultado de aumento de sensibilidade para o \"stacking\" mediado por força iônica foi quando se dissolveu a amostra em água e comparou-se à mesma amostra dissolvida no tampão de corrida (o ganho em S/R foi da ordem de 25 vezes). Para as demais estratégias, a referência de partida foi uma amostra já dissolvida em água. Dentre todas as estratégias avaliadas, o maior ganho em sensibilidade foi obtido com os pré-concentradores (22,5 vezes de aumento em sinal-ruído (S/R)), mas a dificuldade de confecção não os tornam atrativos para as análises. A isotacoforese proporcionou o segundo maior aumento (7,6 vezes), comparável ao aumento de sensibilidade em campo amplificado (7,5 vezes) quando se utilizou um tampão com alta concentração de sal. Este ganho foi melhor que o da cela HS que teve aumento de 2,9 vezes em SIR, sugerindo que estas técnicas de pré-concentração podem ser utilizadas com vantagem em relação à cela HS proporcionando baixo custo. O aumento de sensibilidade não foi tão expressivo no \"stacking\" por injeção de grande volume (1,1), mas pode ser melhorado se o capilar inteiro for preenchido com a amostra. / Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) is a separation technique based on differential migration of ionic compounds in a electric field, providing high efficiency, resolution and faster analysis. To preserve high resolution, the injected volume must be small (nanoliters), which compromises the analysis of samples components in a low concentration level. The little pathlenght defined by the capillary internal diameter and a small injected volume, place a large demand on detection, especially when on-line absorbance detectors is used. Some strategies have been described to improve the capillary electrophoresis sensitivity. At this work, preconcentration techniques (stacking, field amplification, isotachophoresis, high sensitivity optical cell, and on line solid extraction) were applied to two chemical systems: terephthalic acid (an important raw material used in a polyester synthesis) and atracurium besylate (a neuromuscular blocking agent), and the results were comparatively evaluated. The first selected system was not suitable for this purpose, due to poor solubility of terephthalic acid in water. lt was necessary to work with solutions of crude and purified products prepared in 0.15 mol /L NaOH and that produced a high conductivity medium, jeopardizing some preconcentration techniques. However, since impurities control in terephthalic acid is of industrial interest, it was developed a method to simultaneously analyze major byproducts: 4-carboxybenzaldehyde (4-CBA) and toluoic acid (pTO), industrialy controlled by polarography and gas chromatography, respectively. Analysis were conducted in industrial batches of crude terephthalic acid (CTA) and highly purified terephthalic acid (PTA). Concentrations of 4-CBA and p-TOL, in both, CTA and PTA, were in agreement with product specification. The results showed the viability to determine several impurities using CE. Additionally, two other contaminants, benzoic acid (BZ) and 4-hydroxymethyl benzoic acid (HMB), were identified. The second selected system, atracurium besylate, was useful to evaluate some preconcentration strategies, because of this water solubility and ionic character. Commercial presentation of this pharmaceutical consists in a mixture of three isomers (cis-cis, cis-trans e trans-trans), which one presenting a particular neuromuscular potency. First, it was developed a method to separate the three isomers by CE and then a study of the product impurities was conducted, evaluating the temperature tolerance and shelf life. Laudanosine and a monoquaternary acid were identified impurities in the pharmaceutical. Laudanosine was selected for the evaluation of preconcentration techniques because it is the major decomposition product of atracurium besylate. Sensitivity enhancement was calculated in terms of signal-noise increase (S/R). The best results of enhancement sensitivity with \"stacking\" mediated by ionic strange was obtained when the sample was dissolved in water and it was compared to the same sample dissolved in a running buffer (signal-noise increase was 25 times). To the other strategies, the reference sample was dissolved in water). Among all evaluated strategies, the major sensitivity enhancement was obtained with preconcentrators (22,5 times), but its difficult manufaturing makes them not attractive for routine analysis. Isotachophoresis, the second best in terms of signal-noise (S/R) values (7,6 times), was comparable to field amplification sensitivity enhancement (7,5 times), when buffers with high salt concentration were used. Its enhancement was better than that of HS cell, that was signal-noise increase of 2,9 times), suggesting that these preconcentration techniques can be used with advantage in relation to HS cell providing low cost. Sensitivity enhancement was not expressive, in the large injection volumes strategy (1, 1 times), but it can be improved if the whole capillar1 is filled with sample.