Patent ID: 6440722
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: B01F,B01L,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
A method of optimizing a chemical reaction, comprising:a) providing a microfluidic device or system which includes a reaction chamber or channel having at least one region with a cross sectional dimension of between about 0.1 &mgr;m and about 500 &mgr;m, a source of at least a first fluid reactant, a source of at least a second fluid reactant, and a fluid direction system for delivering a selected volume of the first and second reactants to the reaction chamber or channel; b) delivering a selected volume of the first reactant to the reaction chamber or channel; c) delivering a selected volume of the second reactant to the reaction chamber or channel; d) mixing the first reactant and the second reactant and incubating the mixed reactants for a selected time; e) detecting a product of a reaction between the first and second reactant; f) repeating steps b, c, d and e, wherein at least one selected parameter selected from the group consisting of the selected volume of the first reactant, the selected volume of the second reactant and the selected incubation time is varied as the steps are repeated, wherein the fluid direction system is operably coupled to a control system comprising programmed instructions for performing steps b, c, d, e and f; and, g) determining an optimal level for the selected volume of the first reactant, the selected volume of the second reactant, or the selected incubation time for producing the product.