email: zsandlin@umich.edu
Our group has developed a mD-based CE system that utilizes laser induced fluorescence (LIF) with a sheath-flow cuvette detector capable of measuring in vivo basal and stimulated levels of the primary amino acid neurotransmitters in a rat brain with 20 s temporal resolution using non overlapping injections. Unfortunately, because of the complexity of the instrumentation, the transferal of this methodology to neuroscience laboratories might be prohibitive. Simplifying the system, while retaining the analytical performance of the technique, is the current focus of my research. My goal is to replace the sample handling, sample transport, OPA derivatization, separation, and detection performed with the CE-LIF sheath-flow system with a simple, disposable, and portable 2.54 cm x 7.62 cm planar glass microfluidic device.