Browsing by Author "Chen, Ting-Ru"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

A compact 3D-printed interface for coupling open digital microchips with Venturi easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry
(2015-01-01)
Hu, Jie-Bi
;
Chen, Ting-Ru
;
Chang, Chia-Hsien
;
Cheng, Ji-Yen
;
Chen, Yu-Chie
Digital microfluidics (DMF) based on the electrowetting-on-dielectric phenomenon is a convenient way of handling microlitre-volume aliquots of solutions prior to analysis. Although it was shown to be compatible with on-line mass spectrometric detection, due to numerous technical obstacles, the implementation of DMF in conjunction with MS is still beyond the reach of many analytical laboratories. Here we present a facile method for coupling open DMF microchips to mass spectrometers using Venturi easy ambient sonic-spray ionization operated at atmospheric pressure. The proposed interface comprises a 3D-printed body that can easily be "clipped" at the inlet of a standard mass spectrometer. The accessory features all the necessary connections for an open-architecture DMF microchip with T-shaped electrode arrangement, thermostatting of the microchip, purification of air (to prevent accidental contamination of the microchip), a Venturi pump, and two microfluidic pumps to facilitate transfer of samples and reagents onto the microchip. The system also incorporates a touch-screen panel and remote control for user-friendly operation. It is based on the use of popular open-source electronic modules, and can readily be assembled at low expense.
Dual robotic arm "production line" mass spectrometry assay guided by multiple Arduino-type microcontrollers
(2017-02)
Chen, Chih-Lin
;
Chen, Ting-Ru
;
Chiu, Shih-Hao
;
Urban, Pawel L.
;
應用化學系
Chemistry-related procedures often involve a substantial investment of manual work. Automated procedures have been developed to reduce the burden of sample processing and analysis. Here, we demonstrate an automated system for sequential sample processing and delivery to a mass spectrometer. This new platform referred to as RAMSAY-2 incorporates two robotic arms. The arms are guided by several inexpensive, open-source, electronic modules. RAMSAY-2 performs various operations on the samples. Two robotic arms work synchronously to process multiple samples. The system recognizes the delivered samples, aliquots solutions (e.g., substrates of biochemical reactions, diluents), incubates the samples with the reagents, delivers the processed samples to the ion source of the mass spectrometer, and initiates data acquisition. The increased efficiency and versatility are due to implementation of two arms, several microfluidic pumps, fast servos, and the modular design of the control unit. RAMSAY-2 handles multiple sample processing workflows encoded in radio frequency identification tags attached to the samples and can easily be reprogrammed according to the specific requirements of sample processing before mass spectrometric detection. As an example, we demonstrate that RAMSAY-2 can autonomously collect data to evaluate enzymatic activities in enzyme samples supplied by the user. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Microcontroller-Assisted Compensation of Adenosine Triphosphate Levels: Instrument and Method Development
(2015-01-30)
Hu, Jie-Bi
;
Chen, Ting-Ru
;
Chen, Yu-Chie
;
Urban, Pawel L.
;
應用化學系
In order to ascertain optimum conditions for biocatalytic processes carried out in vitro, we have designed a bio-opto-electronic system which ensures real-time compensation for depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in reactions involving transfer of phosphate groups. The system covers ATP concentration range of 2-48 mu M. The report demonstrates feasibility of the device operation using apyrase as the ATP-depleting enzyme.
Nucleotide-Dependent Bioautocatalytic Timer Reaction
(2016-09)
Chen, Ting-Ru
;
Hsu, Ching-Fong
;
Chen, Chih-Lin
;
Witek, Henryk A.
;
Urban, Pawel L.
We describe a biochemical timer composed of three biocatalytic reactions involving three types of adenylate nucleotides: adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). The timer is triggered by a small amount of ATP or ADP. An abrupt increase in the ATP concentration (following numerous amplification cycles) leads to a sudden increase of luminescence from the reaction mixture. The time point when the luminescence appears is found to be a function of the initial concentration of the triggering nucleotide (5.0 X 10(-8)-1.0 X 10(-6) M), even in the presence of a complex biological matrix. The mechanism of the observed dependence of the time of luminescence increase on the concentration has been confirmed with simple kinetic models. Due to the biocompatibility of the proposed trienzymatic reaction scheme (sensitivity to common nucleotides and occurrence in a neutral pH aqueous environment), the scheme can be used in bioengineered systems that require modulation of the response time (light emission) by concentration.