Recent advances in column coatings for capillary electrophoresis of proteins

Capillary coatings effectively improve the separation performance of proteins in capillary electrophoresis, mainly by reducing protein adsorption onto the inner capillary wall and by regulating the electroosmotic flow (EOF) to accommodate the separation problem in hand. In the first part of this review the newest trends in dynamic and permanent capillary coatings are summarized and discussed in detail. In the second part the application of nanomaterials as novel capillary coating materials is conversed. Nanomaterials have great potential in capillary coating preparations based on their advantageous properties such as large surface-to volume ratios and a wide variety of chemistry options. Finally, some future prospective of capillary coatings in the emerging field of proteomics are given

Circulating tumor-cell detection and capture using microfluidic devices

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the bloodstream are considered good indicators of the presence of a primary tumor or even metastases. CTC capture has great importance in early detection of cancer, especially in identifying novel therapeutic routes for cancer patients by finding personalized druggable targets for the pharmaceutical industry. Recent developments in microfluidics and nanotechnology improved the capabilities of CTC detection and capture, including purity, selectivity and throughput. This article covers the recent technological improvements in microfluidics-based CTC-capture methods utilizing the physical and biochemical properties of CTCs. We critically review the most promising hydrodynamic, dielectrophoretic and magnetic force-based microfluidic CTC-capture devices

Continuous-Flow Biochemical Reactors: Biocatalysis, Bioconversion, and Bioanalytical Applications Utilizing Immobilized Microfluidic Enzyme Reactors

The utilization of continuous-flow biochemical reactors, including biocatalysis, biotransformation, and biochemical interaction based flow-analytical systems, and enzyme reactors are recently the focus of attention to produce fine biochemicals and also show great potential in bioanalytical applications. Continuous-flow biochemical processes implemented in microstructured reactors enable short development time to production scale utilizing enzymatic processes to efficiently fulfill the current needs of the fine biochemical and pharmaceutical industry. Immobilization of the enzymes is preferable because it usually enhances their stability, and in some instances, immobilized enzymes can even be reused multiple times. In this review on the continuous-flow biochemical reactors, first the enzyme immobilization strategies will be briefly discussed followed by summarizing the recent developments in the field of immobilized enzyme microflow reactors for biocatalysis, bioconversion and bioanalytical purposes

Modeling of cell sorting and rare cell capture with microfabricated biodevices

In this paper, we review different aspects of computer modeling and simulation of lab-on-a-chip type bioanalytical devices, with special emphasis on cell sorting and rare cell capture, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). We critically review important fundamental concepts and innovative applications in addition to detailed analysis by multiphysics approaches. Relevant essentials of hydrodynamic, Newtonian, and non-Newtonian rheological behavior, single and multiphase models, together with various force field-mediated flows are discussed with respect to cell sorting. Furthermore, we provide a summary of techniques used to simulate electric and magnetic field-based rare cell capture methods, such as electrophoresis and magnetophoresis. Finally, we present simulations of practical applications to help non-specialists understand the basic principles and applications

Continuous-flow-based microfluidic systems for therapeutic monoclonal antibody production and organ-on-a-chip drug testing

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Automated N-Glycosylation Sequencing Of Biopharmaceuticals By Capillary Electrophoresis

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Numerical modeling of capillary electrophoresis : electrospray mass spectrometry interface design

Capillary electrophoresis hyphenated with electrospray mass spectrometry (CE-ESI-MS) has emerged in the past decade as one of the most powerful bioanalytical techniques. As the sensitivity and efficiency of new CE-ESI-MS interface designs are continuously improving, numerical modeling can play important role during their development. In this review, different aspects of computer modeling and simulation of CE-ESI-MS interfaces are comprehensively discussed. Relevant essentials of hydrodynamics as well as state-of-the-art modeling techniques are critically evaluated. Sheath liquid-, sheathless-, and liquid-junction interfaces are reviewed from the viewpoint of multidisciplinary numerical modeling along with details of single and multiphase models together with electric field mediated flows, electrohydrodynamics, and free fluid-surface methods. Practical examples are given to help non-specialists to understand the basic principles and applications. Finally, alternative approaches like air amplifiers are also included

Unraveling the glyco-puzzle : glycan structure identification by capillary electrophoresis

State-of-the-art high-resolution separation techniques play an important role in the full structural elucidation of glycans. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) offers a rapid yet simple method for exhaustive carbohydrate profiling. CE is a versatile analytical platform, which can be operated in several separation modes, simply by altering separation conditions during operation. For in-depth glycan structural analysis, CE has also gained significantly from the additional resolution introduced by complementary and orthogonal separation techniques such as ion exchange or hydrophilic interaction chromatography. Commercially available mass spectrometry (MS) interfaces have not only brought this information-rich detection technique within reach, but CE also represents an expedient highly efficient separation inlet for MS, capable of separating isobaric oligosaccharide isomers prior to MS detection and MS/MS fragmentation based identification. This Perspective gives a sophisticated impression of the versatility of capillary electrophoresis for deep structural elucidation of carbohydrates derived from glycoproteins of biomedical interest. Different separation modes for the analysis of both charged and neutral glycans, such as influencing electroosmotic flow, using complexation/interaction based secondary equilibria, and the use of charged and neutral labels are compared. The merits of introducing orthogonal and complementary techniques, such as exoglycosidase digestion arrays, analytical/preparative chromatography and mass spectrometric detection, extending the dynamic range and resolution of CE are all thoroughly discussed