| This thesis presents novel techniques towards biological cell separations on microfluidic chips. Specifically, the feasibility of the separation of single biological cells solely based on their difference of electrophoretic mobilities was demonstrated on microfluidic chips using red blood cells, yeast cells, and microspheres. This work also demonstrated a "true" electrophoretic separation of cells on microfluidic chips for the first time. The identification of bacterial cells (e.g., E. coli O157) based on immuno-fluorescence labeling and CE was also studied. We also developed methods for microchip performance assessment and microchip rejuvenation that were useful for all glass chip-based research on microfluidics. We are among the first to demonstrate these techniques on microfluidic devices, and these increase the potential for the development of low cost, high efficiency, and portable devices in the field of the life sciences and environmental monitoring. |
