Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for Edman degradation using a microfluidic system to identify and characterize peptides is disclosed. A microfluidic device comprises an entrance channel through which a substantially purified polypeptide is accepted, a reaction channel engaging the entrance channel wherein the substantially purified polypeptide is digested, producing a digestion product, a reagent reservoir engaging the reaction channel, the reagent reservoir capable of delivering a reagent to the reaction channel, and an exit channel extending from the reaction channel, wherein the digestion product travels through the exit channel upon leaving the reaction channel. Protein digestion on the device comprises delivering a substantially purified polypeptide to a reaction channel, confining the polypeptide in the reaction channel, digesting the polypeptide in the reaction channel producing a digestion product, and removing the digestion product from the reaction channel, wherein the last two steps are repeated until the polypeptide is substantially digested.

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First Claim