Use of microfluidic systems in the electrochemical detection of target analytes

1. A microfluidic device for the detection of a target analyte in a fluid sample, said device comprising a solid support member comprising:

a) a sample inlet port;

b) a configuration of electrodes for electrokinetic movement of said sample on said solid support member upon application of a voltage; and

c) a detection chamber comprising a plurality of detection electrodes positioned in said detection chamber, each comprising a binding ligand and a self assembled monolayer, wherein said detection chamber is in fluid connection to said sample inlet port;

wherein said electrokinetic movement is electroosmotic movement or electrohydrodynamic movement.

2. The microfluidic device according to claim 1 wherein said electrokinetic movement is electroosmotic movement.

3. The microfluidic device according to claim 2 wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid.

4. The microfluidic device according to claim 2 wherein said binding ligand is a protein.

5. The microfluidic device according to claim 1 wherein said electrokinetic movement is electrohydrodynamic movement.

6. A method for the detection of a target analyte in a sample, said method comprising:

a) introducing said sample to a sample inlet port of a microfluidic device according to claim 1 ;

b) applying a voltage to said configuration of electrodes to move said sample to said detection chamber;

c) forming an attachment complex between said target analyte and at least one of said binding ligands, wherein said attachment complex comprises an electron transfer moiety label; and

d) detecting the presence of said label as an indication of the presence of said target.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said electron transfer moiety label is a metallocene.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said metallocene is a ferrocene.

9. A method according to claim 6 wherein said attachment complex comprises said target analyte, said capture binding ligand, and a solution binding ligand comprising said electron transfer moiety label.

10. A microfluidic device for the detection of a target analyte in a fluid sample, said device comprising a solid support member comprising:

a) a sample inlet port;

b) a configuration of electrodes for an electrokinetic movement of said sample on said solid support member upon application of a voltage;

c) a detection chamber comprising a plurality of detection electrodes positioned in said detection chamber, each comprising a binding ligand and a self-assembled monolayer, wherein said detection chamber is in fluid connection to said sample inlet port;

wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid or a protein.

11. The microfluidic device of claim 10 , wherein said electrokinetic movement is electroosmotic movement.

12. The microfluidic device of claim 10 , wherein said electrokinetic movement is electrohydrodynamic movement.

13. The microfluidic device of claim 10 , wherein said binding ligand is a nucleic acid.

14. The microfluidic device of claim 10 , wherein said binding ligand is a protein.

15. A method for the detection of a target analyte in a sample, said method comprising:

a) introducing said sample to a sample inlet port of a microfluidic device according to claim 10 ;

b) applying a voltage to said configuration of electrodes to move said sample to said detection chamber;

c) forming an attachment complex between said target analyte and at least one of said binding ligands, wherein said attachment complex comprises an electron transfer moiety label; and

d) detecting the presence of said label as an indication of the presence of said target.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said electron transfer moiety label is a metallocene.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said metallocene is a ferrocene.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein said attachment complex comprises said target analyte, said capture binding ligand, and a solution binding ligand comprising said electron transfer moiety label.