Tran Thuy

One of my research field is focused on the design of micro total analysis systems, integrating various analytical steps (preconcentration, separation, detection) for the development of miniaturized diagnostic tools for pathologies. We develop monoliths, a porous material which have the advantage, compared to the conventional solid supports, to be more flexible in terms of surface chemistry and morphology. The designed monoliths are used as affinity supports such as Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC), dedicated for the capture of phosphorylated molecules. We are experienced on the in-situ synthesis and anchoring of polymer monoliths, in capillary format and microsystems (glass or PDMS). We thus developed an original and simple method of synthesis of extremely small monoliths whose size can reach 160 µm, and in a localised way with well defined edges using UV irradiation under epifluorescence microscope, which was possible to date only by use of laser. We also developed a miniaturized device integrating a methacrylate monolith as solid support for the preconcentration of phosphopeptides and an “on line” electrokinetic separation module of these phosphopeptides. This microsystem can be used like diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases. We start two new projects in collaboration with the CEA. The first project consists in developing an IMAC capture module of proteins which bind selectively uranyl, then to apply it to protein extraction from a human neuronal cellular line, in order to acquire new knowledge on the uranium neurotoxicity. The second project consists in developing a miniaturized deglycosylation support of biological samples by grafting glycanases on the monolith surface This module is an essential technological step in the development of a microsystem dedicated to the diagnosis of abnormal glycosylation related diseases.