Porous Matrix based Microfluidic Chip for DNA Extraction

5SPE (Solid phase extraction) method, which is compatible with MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) technology, has proven efficient and amenable to microfluidic chips. An SPE microfluidic chip for DNA extraction by using porous silicon dioxide as the solid phase matrix has been developed. Porous matrix coated on the wall of the channel in the microfluidic chip to provide a surface-enlarging matrix, is achieved by electrochemical etching technology in a hydrofluoric acid / ethanol mixture. The surface morphology of porous matrix has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy and the properties of the porous matrix have been achieved by BET (Brunauer, Emmet, and Teller) nitrogen adsorption analysis. The pore size of the porous matrix is in the range of 20 nm to 30 nm, and the surface area to volume is about 300 m²/cm³. The porous microfluidc chip is successfully used to extract DNA, obtaining about 19.2 ng genomic DNA from a microlitre rat whole blood in 35 minutes. The extracted DNA is successful used in PCR reaction to ensure that no inhibitors are present. Evaluation of the structure and the preparation process of the microfluidic chip as well as the rapid time frame for DNA extraction, the porous microfluidic chips are suitable for incorporation into muTAS (micro total analysis system).