The paper highlights microfluidic chips that integrate complicated bioprocesses, such as DNA or mRNA purification from a single mammalian cell or several bacterial cells. We believe our paper shows specific applications of microfluidics to biotechnology or medical applications.

   Does it describe a new discovery or a new methodology that's useful to others?

Yes. The paper reports on automated purification and isolation of nucleic acids from a single mammalian cell or a few bacterial cells, which gives us new ways of dealing with tiny numbers of rare or unculturable cells. It gives us specific ideas of how we can use microfluidic platforms for the advancement of biotechnology. In addition, the paper describes how complicated parallel processes can be accomplished without increasing the complexity of controls, which indicates the automation of complex bioprocesses on microfluidic formats.

   Could you summarize the significance of your paper in layman's terms?

Our research in microfluidic chips makes it possible to do more with very tiny amounts of liquid, down to the nanoliter or picoliter level, with great accuracy. Also available is the ability to purify and isolate nucleic acid from a single cell or several cells automatically, which was not previously possible. This technology will simplify processes and also provide unique opportunities for biotechnology and medical research.

We wanted to bring the study of microfluidics technology to a higher level of usefulness in applications such as biotechnology and medical research.