Optimal Design of Microfluidic Devices for Rapid DNA Separations

DNA separation is required to be rapid to be a useful component in DNA analysis devices. Different microfluidic device structures can be exploited to separate DNA with high throughput. We presents a framework for determining the optimal microfluidic device structure for rapid DNA separation through solving a nonlinear programming problem. Optimally designed spiral and serpentine microfluidic device configurations are shown to give comparable results for separating up to 425 bases of DNA using the micelle end-labeled free solution electrophoresis technique. The minimum run time for the serpentine microfluidic device configuration separating up to 425 bases of DNA is 5.1 minutes.