Microfluidic protein synthesis array for toxin detection

A microfluidic array device has been developed for simultaneous production of multiple proteins in cell-free media. The device is fabricated from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Since biological synthesis of a protein can be inhibited by a toxin, a lower yield of protein synthesis than the control indicates the presence of toxins. We have synthesized three proteins in the array device and found that their production yields are inhibited differentially by two toxin simulants. As a result, identification of a toxin can be achieved based on their unique response pattern of the array. In addition, the device has been exploited to detect ricin, with a detection limit lower than the immunoassay-based method.