Editing Microfluidics (section)

=== Astrobiology ===
To understand the prospects for life to exist elsewhere in the universe, [[Astrobiology|astrobiologists]] are interested in measuring the chemical composition of extraplanetary bodies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nai.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2015/10/NASA_Astrobiology_Strategy_2015_151008.pdf|title=NASA Astrobiology Strategy, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222190306/https://nai.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2015/10/NASA_Astrobiology_Strategy_2015_151008.pdf|archive-date=2016-12-22|url-status=dead}}</ref> Because of their small size and wide-ranging functionality, microfluidic devices are uniquely suited for these remote sample analyses.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Beebe DJ, Mensing GA, Walker GM | title = Physics and applications of microfluidics in biology | journal = Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering | volume = 4 | pages = 261–286 | date = 2002 | pmid = 12117759 | doi = 10.1146/annurev.bioeng.4.112601.125916 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Theberge AB, Courtois F, Schaerli Y, Fischlechner M, Abell C, Hollfelder F, Huck WT | title = Microdroplets in microfluidics: an evolving platform for discoveries in chemistry and biology | journal = Angewandte Chemie | volume = 49 | issue = 34 | pages = 5846–5868 | date = August 2010 | pmid = 20572214 | doi = 10.1002/anie.200906653 | s2cid = 18609389 | url = https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/340192/2/__soton.ac.uk_ude_personalfiles_users_jks1m11_mydesktop_theberge_2010_microdroplets%2520in%2520microfluidics-an%2520evolving%2520platform%2520for%2520discoveries%2520in%2520chemistry%2520and%2520biology.pdf }}<!--https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/340192/2/__soton.ac.uk_ude_personalfiles_users_jks1m11_mydesktop_theberge_2010_microdroplets%2520in%2520microfluidics-an%2520evolving%2520platform%2520for%2520discoveries%2520in%2520chemistry%2520and%2520biology.pdf--></ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = van Dinther AM, Schroën CG, Vergeldt FJ, van der Sman RG, Boom RM | title = Suspension flow in microfluidic devices--a review of experimental techniques focussing on concentration and velocity gradients | journal = Advances in Colloid and Interface Science | volume = 173 | pages = 23–34 | date = May 2012 | pmid = 22405541 | doi = 10.1016/j.cis.2012.02.003 }}</ref>  From an extraterrestrial sample, the organic content can be assessed using microchip [[capillary electrophoresis]] and selective fluorescent dyes.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Mora MF, Greer F, Stockton AM, Bryant S, Willis PA | title = Toward total automation of microfluidics for extraterrestial &#91;sic&#93; in situ analysis | journal = Analytical Chemistry | volume = 83 | issue = 22 | pages = 8636–8641 | date = November 2011 | pmid = 21972965 | doi = 10.1021/ac202095k }}</ref>  These devices are capable of detecting [[amino acid]]s,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Chiesl TN, Chu WK, Stockton AM, Amashukeli X, Grunthaner F, Mathies RA | title = Enhanced amine and amino acid analysis using Pacific Blue and the Mars Organic Analyzer microchip capillary electrophoresis system | journal = Analytical Chemistry | volume = 81 | issue = 7 | pages = 2537–2544 | date = April 2009 | pmid = 19245228 | doi = 10.1021/ac8023334 }}</ref> [[peptide]]s,<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors = Kaiser RI, Stockton AM, Kim YS, Jensen EC, Mathies RA|date=2013|title=On the Formation of Dipeptides in Interstellar Model Ices|journal=The Astrophysical Journal|language=en|volume=765|issue=2|pages=111|doi=10.1088/0004-637X/765/2/111|issn=0004-637X|bibcode=2013ApJ...765..111K|s2cid=45120615 |doi-access=free}}</ref> [[fatty acid]]s,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Stockton AM, Tjin CC, Chiesl TN, Mathies RA | title = Analysis of carbonaceous biomarkers with the Mars Organic Analyzer microchip capillary electrophoresis system: carboxylic acids | journal = Astrobiology | volume = 11 | issue = 6 | pages = 519–528 | date = July 2011 | pmid = 21790324 | doi = 10.1089/ast.2011.0634 | bibcode = 2011AsBio..11..519S }}</ref> and simple [[aldehyde]]s, [[ketone]]s,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Stockton AM, Tjin CC, Huang GL, Benhabib M, Chiesl TN, Mathies RA | title = Analysis of carbonaceous biomarkers with the Mars Organic Analyzer microchip capillary electrophoresis system: aldehydes and ketones | journal = Electrophoresis | volume = 31 | issue = 22 | pages = 3642–3649 | date = November 2010 | pmid = 20967779 | doi = 10.1002/elps.201000424 | s2cid = 34503284 }}</ref> and [[thiol]]s.<ref>{{cite book|vauthors = Mora MF, Stockton AM, Willis PA|title = Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis Protocols|chapter = Analysis of thiols by microchip capillary electrophoresis for in situ planetary investigations|series = Methods in Molecular Biology|volume = 1274|pages = 43–52|date = 2015|pmid = 25673481|doi = 10.1007/978-1-4939-2353-3_4|publisher = Humana Press|location = New York, NY|isbn = 9781493923526  }}</ref> These analyses coupled together could allow powerful detection of the key components of life, and hopefully inform our search for functioning extraterrestrial life.<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors = Bowden SA, Wilson R, Taylor C, Cooper JM, Parnell J|date=January 2007|title=The extraction of intracrystalline biomarkers and other organic compounds from sulphate minerals using a microfluidic format – a feasibility study for remote fossil-life detection using a microfluidic H-cell|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-astrobiology/article/the-extraction-of-intracrystalline-biomarkers-and-other-organic-compounds-from-sulphate-minerals-using-a-microfluidic-format-a-feasibility-study-for-remote-fossil-life-detection-using-a-microfluidic-h-cell/C66EB723687CB09F2DAB638A074CBA9D|journal=International Journal of Astrobiology|language=en|volume=6|issue=1|pages=27–36|doi=10.1017/S147355040600351X|issn=1475-3006|bibcode=2007IJAsB...6...27B|s2cid=123048038}}</ref>