Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting the degree of toxicity of toxic materials within a sample. The method includes contacting sub-mitochondrial particles having competent mitochondrial enzyme formed from the inner membranes of mitochondria, an electron donor which transmits electrons to the electron transfer system of the sub-mitochondrial particles, and a sample which will be tested; adding tris-2,2?-bipyridyl-ruthenium (II) ion to the reaction mixture; and measuring electrical variables of the reaction mixture. Also, provided is an apparatus and kit for detecting the presence of toxic materials within a sample.

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: Provided is a microfluidic device for electrochemically regulating the pH of a fluid comprising: a cathode substrate; an anode substrate facing the cathode substrate and forming a reaction chamber with the cathode substrate; and a nonconductor which forms a boundary between the portions of the cathode substrate and the anode substrate that are capable of contacting one another, wherein at least one of the cathode substrate and the anode substrate is a semiconductor doped with impurities and the other is a metal electrode.

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: An apparatus for regulating salt concentration, a lab-on-a-chip including the same and a method of regulating salt concentration using the apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes: a reaction chamber that is defined by a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane and is selected from the group consisting of a biomolecule extraction chamber, an amplification chamber, a hybridization chamber, and a detection chamber; a first electrode chamber that is defined by the anion exchange membrane and a first electrode and includes an ion exchange medium; and a second electrode chamber that is defined by the cation exchange membrane and a second electrode and includes an ion exchange medium. Even without injecting solutions with different salt concentrations into the reaction chamber by operating pumps and valves for each operation stage, the salt concentration can be reversibly regulated in situ by adjusting the polarity, intensity and application time of a voltage.

Abstract: A conductive compound of formula (I) below, an electrode coated with the conductive compound, a sensor including the electrode, and a target molecule detection method using the sensor are provided: wherein Y is a carbonyl or —NH—; R is one of H, OH, a leaving group, and a probe group; l is an integer from 3 to 6; m is an integer from 1 to 4; and n is an integer from 0 to 3.

Abstract: A microvalve device is provided. The microvalve device uses electrolysis and uses a hydrogel swelling and deswelling in response to anions or cations as an actuator for controlling the path of a flowing fluid. The microvalve device does not require a buffer solution but uses the transfer fluid flowing in a valve as a source driving the actuator. To generate the anions or cations, an electrode is needed for electrolysis of the fluid near the hydrogel. The microvalve is easy to manufacture and has a simple structure. In addition, the micro valve is useful to manufacture fluid channel arrays having various multi-channel structures.

Abstract: A handheld centrifuge is provided. In the handheld centrifuge, an inertia body has an axle to which one end of a string is connected and a pair of inertia wheels coupled to the axle, and at least one closed vessel is installed at the inertia body to contain a substance to be centrifuged.

Abstract: Provided is a method of isolating and purifying biomolecules using a hydrogel, the method including: bring a sample containing charged biomolecules into contact with a hydrogel to bind the biomolecules to the hydrogel; washing the hydrogel bound with the biomolecules; and eluting the bound biomolecules using an elution solvent. According to the method, the use of a hydrogel with a large surface area reduces the isolation time of biomolecules to 5 min or less, an external device such as an electromagnet is not required, and small-sized systems or LOC can be easily implemented due to applicability to microsystems through a polymer patterning technique.

Abstract: Provided is a method of lysing a cell or a virus using a free radical. The method includes: applying an electric field to a mixture of a metal ion, a peroxide, and a cell or virus solution to increase the free radical generation, thereby lysing a cell or a virus. In the present method, cell lysis may be efficiently performed using a low electrical energy (several mV to several V). When the present method is applied to a microsystem, cell lysis can occur at a desired time and in a desired space by controlling the electrical energy, thus being suitable to realize a lab-on-a-chip (LOC).

Abstract: A novel electrically conductive polymer, a sensor using the electrically conductive polymer, and a method for detecting a target molecule that hybridizes to a probe, using the sensor, are provided. The electrically conductive polymer has the following formula: where m is 1, 2, or 3; R is a hydroxysuccinimidyl group, a hydroxyphthalimidyl group, or a pentafluorophenolyl group; and n is zero or an integer.

Abstract: A novel electrically conductive polymer, a sensor using the electrically conductive polymer, and a method for detecting a target molecule that hybridizes to a probe, using the sensor, are provided. The electrically conductive polymer has the following formula: where m is 1, 2, or 3; R is a hydroxysuccinimidyl group, a hydroxyphthalimidyl group, or a pentafluorophenolyl group; and n is zero or an integer.

Abstract: Provided is a micro PCR device. The micro PCR device includes a PCR chamber having electrodes. First primers of PCR primer sets are immobilized on the surfaces of the electrodes and second primers labeled with nanoparticles of the PCR primer sets are added to the PCR chamber.

Abstract: A micro PCR device comprising an amplification chamber is provided. The amplification chamber has an inner surface coated with a polycationic polymer or a polyanionic polymer and includes electrodes.

Abstract: Provided are a primer set selected from the group consisting of primers having nucleotide sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1-40, a method for detecting hepatitis B virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primer set, and a hepatitis B virus detection kit including the primer set.

Abstract: A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) device with micro-valves, which are opened or closed using a simple control mechanism is provided. The PCR device includes: an inlet through which a biochemical fluid is injected; an outlet through which the biochemical fluid is discharged; a PCR channel positioned between the inlet and the outlet; first and second micro-valves, which control opening and closing of the inlet and the outlet; and a sol-gel transformable material, which transforms from a sol state into a gel state at a temperature lower than DNA denaturation temperature, annealing temperature and extension temperature and higher than room temperature.

Abstract: A conductive compound of formula (I) below, an electrode coated with the conductive compound, a sensor including the electrode, and a target molecule detection method using the sensor are provided: 1

Abstract: A novel electrically conductive polymer, a sensor using the electrically conductive polymer, and a method for detecting a target molecule that hybridizes to a probe, using the sensor, are provided.