Abstract: A fluorescence detecting optical system, and a multi-channel fluorescence detection apparatus comprising same, comprising a light source that emits excitation light, a polarizer that transmits light having a predetermined polarization component, a polarizing beam splitter that transmits light having a predetermined polarization component and reflects light having a different polarization component than the predetermined polarization component, and a quarter-wave plate converting linearly polarized to circularly polarized light or vice versa.

Abstract: A micro-fluid supplying device having a gas bubble trapping function. The micro-fluid supplying device includes: a fluid supplier including a fluid having a biomaterial; a trap chamber in which a gas bubble is removed from the fluid supplied from the fluid supplier; and a fluid discharger which externally discharges a material supplied from the trap chamber. Material properties of a side wall and a bottom of an inside of the trap chamber are different from each other. The side wall has a better property of wetting with respect to the fluid supplied from the fluid supplier than the bottom.

Abstract: A micro-device for disrupting cells includes a first chamber in which the cells are disrupted, a second chamber which is pressurized and depressurized, a flexible membrane which separates the first chamber and the second chamber and is vibrated by pressuring and depressurizing the second chamber, and a micro-unit confined in the first chamber, where the micro-unit disrupts the cells in the first chamber.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection optical system detects fluorescence beams with two or more different wavelengths and maintains a focal position through an automatic focusing function. A multi-channel fluorescence detection apparatus includes the fluorescence detection optical system. The fluorescence detection optical system includes an automatic focusing unit which receives light reflected off a microfluidic device and determines a focal point by using an astigmatic method or a knife edge method, and an actuator which adjusts a position of an objective lens according to control of the automatic focusing unit. In addition, the fluorescence detection optical system may include a plurality of dual band pass filters, dichroic devices, etc., which provide light beams emitted from at least two light sources and transfer fluorescence generated from the microfluidic device to a photodetector.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device for electrically regulating the pH of a fluid comprising: a first chamber comprising a first electrode; a second chamber comprising a second electrode; a third chamber comprising a third electrode, a metal ion exchange membrane between the first and second chambers; and a hydrogen ion exchange membrane between the first or second chamber and the third chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating target molecules includes a plurality of protruding portions on a first sidewall of a fluid channel to control a flow of a fluid containing the target molecules, and a fluid channel portion having a variable height for separating the target molecules depending on sizes of the target molecules.

Abstract: A pH adjusting apparatus includes an electrolytic chip receiving a solution, an electrolytic chip loading station receiving the electrolytic chip, an input unit inputting electrolysis conditions, a control unit receiving the electrolysis conditions and controlling electrolysis performed in the electrolytic chip, and a display unit displaying the electrolysis conditions and a progress of the electrolysis. Thus, the pH of a solution can be adjusted easily and accurately, by precisely controlling a constant current, a constant voltage, and current and voltage application times, thereby enabling useful application in various biological assays such as cell lysis. Furthermore, the pH adjusting apparatus has small size and weight and can be operated for a long time after charging once due to low power consumption.

Abstract: An ion exchangeable mixture containing a polymeric compound consisting of an ion exchange resin, an acrylamide mixture containing at least one bisacrylamide and at least one acrylamide, and a copolymer obtained by reacting the polymeric compound with the acrylamide mixture, and a method of producing the same are provided. The ion exchangeable membrane produced by using the ion exchangeable mixture has significantly smaller electric resistance than conventional ion exchangeable membranes, and has excellent selective permeability because the ion exchangeable membrane is electrically charged. The ion exchangeable membrane can be produced under very mild production conditions, and thus can be produced very easily. Furthermore, the ion exchangeable membrane can be also formed into film during a crosslinking reaction in a solvent of water, and thus is advantageous in that the ion exchangeable membrane can be freely produced into desired sizes, shapes and forms.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve unit for controlling the flow of fluid flowing along a channel, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The valve unit includes a channel formed in a platform; a valve filler which includes a phase transition material that is disposed in the channel in a solid state at room temperature to close the channel and is melted when energy is applied thereto; and at least one capillary channel which extends from a sidewall of the channel and into which the valve filler flows when the valve filler is melted, wherein the at least one capillary channel has a cross-sectional area which is less than a cross-sectional area of the channel.

Abstract: A pH adjusting apparatus includes an electrolytic chip receiving a solution, an electrolytic chip loading station receiving the electrolytic chip, an input unit inputting electrolysis conditions, a control unit receiving the electrolysis conditions and controlling electrolysis performed in the electrolytic chip, and a display unit displaying the electrolysis conditions and a progress of the electrolysis. Thus, the pH of a solution can be adjusted easily and accurately, by precisely controlling a constant current, a constant voltage, and current and voltage application times, thereby enabling useful application in various biological assays such as cell lysis. Furthermore, the pH adjusting apparatus has small size and weight and can be operated for a long time after charging once due to low power consumption.

Abstract: A gene analysis apparatus includes a sample preparation chip in which a polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) sample is prepared, a PCR chip in which a PCR is performed on the PCR sample, and a package layer on which the sample preparation chip and the PCR chip are mounted. The package layer includes a channel through which a material flows from the sample preparation chip to the PCR chip. The sample preparation chip and the PCR chip are on a same side or on opposing sides of the package layer.

Abstract: A three dimensional scaffold having a three dimensional structure is easily fabricated by employing a lithography process used in a semiconductor manufacturing process. A method of fabricating the same is also disclosed have a conformational structure. In the method of fabricating a three dimensional scaffold having the conformational structure according to the present invention, a first pattern is first formed on a substrate by using a first photoresist through a lithography process, and a temporary photoresist is coated on a whole surface of the substrate. Next, a temporary pattern exposing the upper part of the first pattern to the surface is formed by using the lithography process, and a second photoresist contacting the first pattern via the temporary pattern is coated on the whole surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A micro-device for disrupting cells includes a first chamber in which the cells are disrupted, a second chamber which is pressurized and depressurized, a flexible membrane which separates the first chamber and the second chamber and is vibrated by pressuring and depressurizing the second chamber, and a micro-unit confined in the first chamber, where the micro-unit disrupts the cells in the first chamber

Abstract: A method of lysing at least one of a cell and a virus, the method including: contacting a sample, which includes at least one of a cell and a virus, with a plurality of beads which are disposed in a first chamber to obtain a combination of the sample and the beads; and agitating the combination of the sample and the beads to lyse the at least one of the cell and the virus, wherein in the first chamber a liquid volume fraction is 0.6 or less, and wherein the liquid volume fraction is a value obtained by dividing a liquid volume of the first chamber by a pure void volume equivalent to a sum of the liquid volume of the first chamber and a void volume of the first chamber.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for electrochemically regulating the pH of a fluid includes: an ion-exchange material; an anode chamber having a surface defined by a surface of the ion-exchange material and an anode electrode disposed along an edge of the surface of the anode chamber; and a cathode chamber having a surface defined by an opposite surface of the ion-exchange material and a cathode electrode disposed along an edge of the surface of the cathode chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a method of separating microorganisms from a sample including contacting the sample containing microorganisms with an inorganic ion exchange material such that the sample reacts with the inorganic ion exchange material, and contacting the reacted sample with a means for capturing microorganisms.

Abstract: Provided is a method of separating microorganisms from a sample including contacting the sample containing microorganisms with an inorganic on exchange material such that the sample reacts with the inorganic on exchange material, and contacting the reacted sample with a means for capturing microorganisms.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection optical system comprises a light source which emits excitation light, a collimating lens which condenses the excitation light emitted from the light source into substantially parallel light, an objective lens which focuses the excitation light on a microchamber of a microfluidic device, an optical detector which measures an intensity of a fluorescence signal generated in the microchamber by the excitation light, a beam splitter which transmits or reflects the excitation light emitted from the light source toward the objective lens, and reflects or transmits the fluorescence signal generated in the microchamber toward the optical detector, and a beam shaping lens which is disposed between the beam splitter and the objective lens and expands an optical spot of the excitation light in one direction in accordance with a shape of the microchamber.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic chip and a method of fabricating the same. The microfluidic chip includes: a lower substrate; an upper substrate formed of a silicone resin, wherein the lower substrate and the upper substrate, bonded together, provide a channel through which a fluid can flow and a chamber to receive the fluid; and an organic thin film formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate except for portions on which the lower substrate and the upper substrate are attached to each other.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing reaction efficiency and sensitivity in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are disclosed.