A MICROFLUIDICS APPROACH TOWARDS THE INVESTIGATION OF FREE HEME EFFECTS ON SICKLE CELL HEMOGLOBIN POLYMERIZATION

Sickle cell hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization is considered to be the primary pathogenic event in sickle cell anemia. In this work we aim at fabricating an integrated microfluidic device with a localized microheater for the study of HbS polymerization kinetics. We developed fabrication recipes for both an SU-8 based microchannel and a thin film resistive Cu-Cr microheater.
We calibrated the heater with both infrared camera and Peltier element and found that a limit exists on the power input to the heater. Computer simulations were carried out to find time resolution of heating process and also the temperature field. Bonding recipe for chip integration has been developed. Surface characterization techniques such as AFM and measuring contact angle with goniometer were used to confirm that oxygen plasma enhances hydrophilicity in SU-8 layer. We found the bonding temperature from differential scanning calorimetry data. Plug flow of liquid in channel has been observed.