Technology principles
Miniaturization
|
|
 |
Miniaturizing applications enhances performance and productivity, as working at nanoliter scale significantly reduces reaction times. Consequently, sample and reagent consumption are greatly reduced. Size comparison: microstructure and matchstick head.
|
Integration
Compact Disc (CD) format
A CD microlaboratory consists of 96 or 112 individual microstructures, which are processed in parallel, under the control of Gyrolab. Each microstructure contains a column pre-packed with streptavidin-coated beads that are activated with biotinylated capture reagents as the first step in the immunoassay.
Capillary action is used to draw liquids into a distribution channel, filling a volume definition chamber. (A hydrophobic barrier prevents the liquid from moving further into the microstructure.) Spinning the CD generates centrifugal force causing the distribution channel to empty, leaving behind a precisely defined liquid volume. A second spin, at higher speed, creates a g-force sufficient to drive the liquid over the hydrophobic barrier and through the capture column. Predetermined spin speeds generate the exact flow rate required for each step, i.e. to capture the maximum amount of protein while minimizing reaction times.
Surface chemistry
|
|
|
Sophisticated use of surface chemistry and precise microfabrication enhance the control of samples and reagents. Surface chemistry throughout the microstructure is optimized for specific tasks. For example, to enhance capillary action or to provide hydrophilic, biocompatible surfaces.
|
Parallel processing
|
As the CD spins, samples are processed in parallel under uniform conditions. This is not only faster than serial processing but it also enhances reliability and reproducibility, and facilitates result comparisons.
|
|
|
Automation
|
Gyrolab provides complete control with minimal user intervention. Built-in, high-precision mechanics ensure reliable transfer of sample and reagents from microplate to CD. After automatic sample processing, captured protein is quantified using a highly sensitive, laser-induced fluorescence detector.
|
|
|