Abstract: A method and apparatus for amplifying nucleic acids. The method includes introducing into a reaction vessel via different inlet channels a reactant aqueous solution containing reactants for nucleic acid amplification and a fluid that is phase-separated from the reactant aqueous solution and does not participate in amplification reaction, creating a plurality of reactant aqueous solution droplets surrounded by the fluid by contacting the reactant aqueous solution with the fluid in the reaction vessel, and amplifying the nucleic acids in the reactant aqueous solution droplets.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic device, a method of analyzing a sample using the microfluidic device, and a method of measuring dilution ratios. The microfluidic device includes: a sample chamber which accommodates a sample to be tested; a dilution chamber which accommodates a diluent, receives the sample from the sample chamber, and provides a sample diluent; a first concentration detecting chamber which receives the sample from the sample chamber; and a second concentration detecting chamber which receives the sample diluent from the dilution chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for amplifying nucleic acids includes a substrate, a reaction vessel formed inside of the substrate, at least one first inlet channel formed inside the substrate, connected to an end of the reaction vessel, and allowing introduction of a reactant aqueous solution containing reactants for nucleic acid amplification into the reaction vessel, a second inlet channel formed inside the substrate, connected to the end of the reaction vessel, and allowing introduction of a fluid that is phase-separated from the reactant aqueous solution and does not participate in amplification reaction into the reaction vessel, and a heating unit installed on the substrate in such a way to thermally contact with the substrate and heating the substrate, wherein the reactant aqueous solution contacts the fluid to create a plurality of droplets surrounded by the fluid in the reaction vessel and the nucleic acids are amplified in the reactant aqueous solution droplets.

Abstract: Provided is a method of storing a reagent in a microfluidic device. The reagent, in a liquid form, is loaded into reaction chambers arranged on the microfluidic device; followed by lyophilization as being contained in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microfluidic device including a microfluidic structure formed in a platform in which various examinations, such as an immune serum examination, can be automatically performed using the biomolecule microarray chip. The biomolecule microarray chip-type microfluidic device using a biomolecule microarray chip comprises: a platform which is rotatable; a microfluidic structure disposed in the platform, comprising: a plurality of chambers; a plurality of channels connecting the chambers each other; and a plurality of valves controlling flow of fluids through the channels, wherein the microfluidic structure controls flow of a fluid sample using rotation of the platform and the valves; and a biomolecule microarray chip mounted in the platform such that biomolecule capture probes bound to the biomolecule microarray chip contact the fluid sample in the microfluidic structure.

Abstract: Provided is a cell lysis method including: preparing a cell sample to be lysed; heating the cell sample; and cooling the cell sample by causing an endothermic reaction near the cell sample. According to the method, cell lysis can be simply and conveniently performed without regard to location and without additional devices since a separate energy source is not required and the apparatus is portable. In particular, when cell lysis is performed in a biochip using a small amount of sample, a greater cell lysis effect can be obtained. In addition, cell lysis efficiency is significantly improved, compared to when only heating is performed.

Abstract: Provided are an automatic analyzing method and apparatus for a microfludic system. The apparatus includes means for recognizing a disc or chip in the microfludic system, performs an operation and detection by automatically loading a DB according to a recognized type, and perform quantitation of a test.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device that can automatically perform various types of biological blood analysis. In the microfluidic device, a specimen is centrifugally separated and the centrifugally separated specimen is diluted into various dilution ratios. Also, at least two reagents that are required for one reaction and that need to be separately stored are stored in separate chambers, and they are mixed when a reaction is needed. Thus, various conventional blood analyzing reagents can be used as they are or after being minimally processed in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Provided are a centrifugal force-based microfluidic device for separating and amplifying a nucleic acid of a target cell and a microfluidic system including the same. The microfluidic device includes a rotary platform; a target cell nucleic acid extraction unit; and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) unit wherein in a microfluidic structure arranged in the platform and connected to the target cell nucleic acid extraction unit.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic valve, a method of manufacturing the microfluidic valve, and a microfluidic device that employs the microfluidic valve. The microfluidic valve includes a platform that includes two substrates combined facing each other; a channel having a first depth allowing a fluid to flow between the two substrates; a valve gap that is disposed on at least a region of the channel and has a second depth which is smaller than the first depth; and a valve plug that is disposed to fill the valve gap and is formed of a valve material made by mixing a phase change material, which is solid at room temperature, with a plurality of exothermic particles that emit an amount of heat sufficient to melt the phase change material by absorbing electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus having a substrate including a channel through which a fluid is conveyed, a fluid container in which at least one kind of fluid is accommodated and which is disposed on the substrate so as to allow the fluid to flow toward the channel, and a fluid flow controller which controls a flow of the fluid toward the channel from the fluid container.

Abstract: Provided is a rotatable microfluidic device for conducting simultaneously two or more assays. The device includes a platform which can be rotated, a first unit which is disposed at one portion of the platform and detects a target material from a sample using surface on which a capture probe selectively binds to the target material is attached, and a second unit which is disposed at another portion of the platform and detects a target material included in the sample by a different reaction from the reaction conducted in the first unit.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus and method using a phase sensitive detection method for a disk-type microfluidic device are provided. The optical detection apparatus includes: a rotation driving unit stopping rotation of the microfluidic device when a detection area of the disk-type microfluidic device reaches a predetermined position; at least one light source turned on and off at a corresponding frequency to emit light to the detection area held at the predetermined position; an optical sensor disposed to face the detection area and generating an electrical signal according to intensity of incident light; and a signal processing unit receiving the electrical signal generated by the optical sensor and outputting only a signal having a same frequency as an on/off frequency of one of the at least one light source.

Abstract: Provided are a centrifugal microfluidic device having a sample distribution structure and a centrifugal microfluidic system including the centrifugal microfluidic device. The centrifugal microfluidic device includes: a rotatable platform; a sample chamber which is disposed in the rotatable platform and houses a fluid sample; a distribution channel connected to an outlet of the sample chamber; a valve which is disposed in the outlet of the sample chamber; a plurality of non-vented reaction chambers which are disposed in the rotatable platform outside of the distribution channel in the radial direction; and a plurality of inlet channels connecting the distribution channel with the reaction chambers.

Abstract: A centrifugal force-based microfluidic device in which a sample including particles and a fluid is centrifugally separated such that the separated fluid is quantitatively distributed, and a microfluidic system including the centrifugal force-based microfluidic device are provided. The centrifugal force-based microfluidic device includes a microfluidic structure in which, within a rotatable disc-shaped platform, a sample, including particles and a fluid, is quickly centrifugally separated into the particles and the fluid using the rotation of the disc-shaped platform and the fluid having a certain volume of the separated fluid is discharged by rotation of the disc-shaped platform.

Abstract: Provided are a centrifugal force based microfluidic device which can automatically perform a dilution operation and a microfluidic system including the same. The centrifugal force based microfluidic device for dilution includes a rotatable disk type platform, a mixing chamber disposed on the platform; a buffer solution storage disposed on a portion of the platform which is closer to a center of the platform than the mixing chamber, connected to the mixing chamber through a channel to supply a predetermined amount of buffer solution to the mixing chamber at least one time, and a plurality of diluted solution chambers which are disposed on a portion of the platform which is farther from the center of the platform than the mixing chamber, are each connected to the mixing chamber through flow paths extended from a middle exit corresponding to a predetermined water level, and sequentially receiving a solution which is serially diluted in the mixing chamber at least one time.

Abstract: A magnetic microparticle-packing unit using centrifugal force, a microfluidic device including the same, and an immunoassay method using the microfluidic device are provided. The magnetic microparticle-packing unit includes a rotary body controllably rotating; a microfluidic channel which includes a curved portion in which the microfluidic channel first extends away from the rotation center of the rotary body and then turns toward the rotation center of the rotary body.

Abstract: Provided are a valve unit and a microfluidic device including the valve unit. The valve unit includes: a valve substance container containing a valve substance, the valve substance including a phase change material that is solid at ambient temperature and melts by absorbing energy; a valve connection path connecting the valve substance container to a channel forming a fluid passage; and a pair of drain chambers formed along the channel at both sides of the valve connection path.

Abstract: A centrifugal force-based microfluidic device for nucleic acid extraction and a microfluidic system are provided. The microfluidic device includes a body of revolution; a microfluidic structure disposed in the body of revolution, the microfluidic structure including a plurality of chambers, channels connecting the chambers, and valves disposed in the channels to control fluid flow, the microfluidic structure transmitting the fluid using centrifugal force due to rotation of the body of revolution; and magnetic beads contained in one of the chambers which collect a target material from a biomaterial sample flowing into the chamber, wherein the microfluidic structure washes the magnetic beads which collect the target material, and separates nucleic acid by electromagnetic wave irradiation from an external energy source to the magnetic beads.

Abstract: Provided is a method of purifying a target substance using silver nanoparticles. The method includes: mixing a sample containing molecules having a thiol group with the silver nanoparticles to obtain a complex of the molecules having the thiol group with the silver nanoparticles; and isolating and removing the complex from the mixture. By using the purification method, PCR amplifiable DNAs can be rapidly purified, and thus, the method can be very efficiently applied to lab-on-chip (LOC).