One of the limitations we identified early on in our project was the lack of concise and clear information about microfluidics for researchers in Synthetic Biology. Using the iGEM poll we were able to confirm this suspicion and understand what the synbio community wanted us to design for them.
As a result, the first stage of MARS is increasing the understanding of microfluidics. Under this section we have included a brief introduction to microfluidics as a whole and an explanation of how our continuous flow devices function. A primitive guide has also been included so researchers can identify and understand the function of each element on their chips. This guide can also be used in conjunction with the software tool 3Duf in order to design your own chip, or to adapt and iterate on our designs in the MARS Repository.
Team:BostonU HW/IntrouF
Get Ready to Learn about Microfludics!
Contents
Introduction to Microfluidics
What is Microfluidics?
Microfluidics is the manipulation of microlitre volumes of liquid in order to perform scientific experiments. This is performed on devices called microfluidic chips that can be made of polycarbonate, glass or silicone.
What is a Microfluidic Chip?
A continuous flow microfluidic chip typically consists of three layers: a flow layer and control layer with a flexible layer of PDMS between them. There are many other types of microfluidics such as digital or paper which operate using different mechanisms, however we will focus on continuous flow chips as this is the type utilised by MARS.
Control Layer
This is the section that will talk about Control layer.
PDMS Layer
This is the section that will talk about PDMS layer.
Flow Layer
These features are called “primitives”. The Control layer allows us to move the elastic PDMS layer in the middle to further manipulate the flow layer, typically by opening or closing valves.
To further understand how primitives work click on the following link: Primitive Table
How does this apply to Synthetic Biology?
Microfluidic chips can be designed to perform various procedures used in synthetic biology. However, microfluidics is often an overlooked tool because designing and using chips requires specialized knowledge.
MARS (Microfluidic Applications for Research in Synbio) is an online repository that will host the designs of nine microfluidic chips that perform fundamental synbio protocols as well as tutorials and guidelines for using them. This will make microfluidic chips a more accessible, inexpensive and practical tool for synthetic biologists to integrate into their labs.
MARS (Microfluidic Applications for Research in Synbio) is an online repository that will host the designs of nine microfluidic chips that perform fundamental synbio protocols as well as tutorials and guidelines for using them. This will make microfluidic chips a more accessible, inexpensive and practical tool for synthetic biologists to integrate into their labs.
Primitive Table
| Primitive | Design | Mill |
|---|---|---|
|
Channel
Carry fluid through the chip and between other primitives
|
 |
 |
|
Ports
Used to input or output fluids from a chip. At least two ports are necessary for a single chip, one to input fluid and the other to output it at the end
|
|
 |
|
Mixer
Mixes two or more liquids together
|
|
 |
|
Curved Mixer
An iteration on the previous mixer. Mixes two or more liquids together but has improved fluid flow due to its curved design
|
|
 |
|
3-D Valve
Blocks the flow of fluids through a channel. Can be opened to allow liquid to flow through
|
|
 |
|
Circle Valve
Used in conjunction with the 3D valve. For any 3D valve on the flow layer, there must be a circle valve placed directly above it on the control layer
|
|
 |
|
Chamber
Can be filled with fluid for various applications. For example, incubation
|
|
 |
|
Trees
Allows for fluid to be evenly split into two separate channels
|
|
 |
|
Transition
Provides a smooth transition point between two primitives of different sizes. For example, between channels of width 800um and 1500um.
|
|
 |
|
Metering
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer volutpat, mi feugiat blandit feugiat, ante nisl dictum lacus, in egestas ligula nulla eu ex. Quisque vel justo congue, volutpat neque at, placerat nulla. Nam malesuada tellus sed justo pretium, eu vulputate mauris elementum.
|
|
|
Check out MARS Tutorial Videos!
Summary
In this section you will find our Microfluidics 101 video tutorials. These videos take you through the basics of fabricating and using MARS microfluidic chips. Each is a fully narrated, step-by-step guide teaching you how to mill, make PDMS, and more! For those who prefer reading, each video is accompanied by an in-depth, printable written protocol.
This branch of MARS was first inspired by our iGEM poll. When we reached out to teams regarding what educational materials they would find useful, one of the highest voted tools were video tutorials. These video ideas were also pitched to various microfluidic manufacturing companies who advised us on various elements to include. For example, including written content in the form of protocols was suggested in order to provide a written guide to be carried into laboratory settings or referred to when offline. For example, inclusion of the “Cleaning” video was inspired by Black Hole Lab’s emphasis on proper cleaning and storage of their chips during training seminars for lab technicians.
This branch of MARS was first inspired by our iGEM poll. When we reached out to teams regarding what educational materials they would find useful, one of the highest voted tools were video tutorials. These video ideas were also pitched to various microfluidic manufacturing companies who advised us on various elements to include. For example, including written content in the form of protocols was suggested in order to provide a written guide to be carried into laboratory settings or referred to when offline. For example, inclusion of the “Cleaning” video was inspired by Black Hole Lab’s emphasis on proper cleaning and storage of their chips during training seminars for lab technicians.
Milling
This video will take you through the process of milling a MARS archive microfluidic chip including preparing your polycarbonate, setting up Otherplan and changing endmills.
PDMS
This video takes you through what PDMS, how to manufacture it in house and cut it down to size for your chip.
Assembly
This video will teach you how to properly clean, port and assemble your chip from its basic components.
Cleaning
This video will teach you how to correctly deconstruct and clean all components of a chip. It includes written protocols for cleaning chips that have run oil or biological material through them.
