Development of a sensitive trace bioanalysis system using microscale flow control and electrophoresis

Microscale analysis methods, such as microfluidic devices and capillary electrophoresis, can treat a pL~nL order solution rapidly and sensitively, so that they are expected to be basis of single-cell-level trace bioanalysis. Many researchers have tried to utilize these microscale analytical technologies for trace-level bioanalysis; however, practical single-cell-level analytical methods are quite limited. This is because the total designing of the analytical protocol is complicated and difficult when using many microscale basic techniques. We have also developed many basic technologies in the microscale analysis research area, as well as an actual application to single-cell analysis and so on by the smart combination of basic technologies. This review paper summarizes our achievements comprehensively.