Electrokinetic Bioprocessor for Concentrating Cells and Molecules

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) 2004-12, Vol.76 (23), p.6908-6914
• Main Authors: Wong, Pak Kin, Chen, Che-Yang, Wang, Tza-Huei, Ho, Chih-Ming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Bacteriophage lambda - chemistry; Bioreactors; Chemistry; DNA, Single-Stranded - chemistry; DNA, Viral - chemistry; Electrochemical methods; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Electrophoresis, Capillary - instrumentation; Electrophoresis, Capillary - methods; Equipment Design; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - cytology; Exact sciences and technology; General, instrumentation; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - methods; Osmosis; Particle Size; Phage phi 1; Sensitivity and Specificity; Surface Properties
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac049479u

Bioprocessors for concentrating bioparticles, such as cells and molecules, are commonly needed in bioanalysis systems. In this microfluidic processor, a global flow field generated by ac electroosmosis transports the embedded particles to the regions near the electrode surface. The processor then utilizes electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic forces, which are effective in short range, to trap the target cells and molecules on the electrode surface. By optimizing the operating parameters, we have concentrated various biological objects in a large range of sizes, including Escherichia coli bacteria, λ phage DNA, and single-stranded DNA fragments as small as 20 bases that have a radius of gyration of only 3 nm.