A lab-on-a-chip for rapid miRNA extraction
Fig 2
Illustration of the process for microfluidic miRNA extraction (top view). Top: Cells are introduced into the sample chamber. Center: A high frequency voltage is applied between the two coplanar electrodes (red)–cell lysis is caused by joule heating of the liquid sample. Bottom: A DC voltage is applied to the coplanar electrodes. Anionic miRNAs migrate through the separation hydrogel (dark blue) towards the anode (red) and are collected in the elution chamber. Large nucleic acids and non-polar cell debris remain inside the sample chamber.