Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Our main area of interest is the study of microfluidics and its application to the development of micro-Total Analysis Systems (µ-TAS). Microfluidics is the manipulation of both liquids and gases in channels, having cross-sectional dimensions of approximately 10-100 micrometers (less than the diameter of a human hair). In particular the manipulation of liquids on this small scale has a number of advantages for the field of analytical chemistry. In comparison with conventional systems, microfluidic devices have reduced analysis times and use minute amounts of sample, solvents and reagents due to their small dimensions. Our research group has two research thrusts: the coupling of capillary and microfluidic devices with mass spectrometry through porous nanoelectrospray interfaces and the development of novel capillary and microchip based chromatographic separation media for the analysis of hormones, peptides and proteins. Due to the large range of molecular weights, hydrophobicity/ hydrophilicity, chemical and physical properties of biochemical species (proteins and peptides in particular), one type of material and separation condition will not be suitable for all types of analysis. Instead a large number of devices exhibiting different surface characteristics and chemistries will be required and coupled to mass spectrometry detection to allow protein and peptides to be handled efficiently. The low volume purification system requested will greatly enhance our NSERC Discovery Grant as well as bolster a number of current and pending projects within my laboratory