Design and Fabrication of a Polymeric Microfluidic Device for Automated

Abstract

Gene synthesis is an important tool in molecular biology. However, the current bench-top method of gene synthesis is a costly, time-intensive and reagent-consuming process. Lab-on-chip technology has many benefits over current bench top methods. Microchips consume smaller reagent volumes, are reusable and less expensive to make. This thesis explores the use of a polymeric microchip for automated gene synthesis as a means to replace the current bench top method, and focuses on the design and fabrication of the microchip. Additionally, a means to automate the device was explored and incorporated into the design of the device.