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Acoustophoretic microfluidic chip for sequential elution of surface bound molecules from beads or cells
Per Augustsson1, Johan Malm, Simon Ekström
1Department of Measurement Technology and Industrial Electrical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Biomicrofluidics
|September 5, 2013
Summary
This study introduces a novel microfluidic chip using acoustophoresis for analyzing proteins and peptides. The device efficiently isolates and elutes target molecules from beads and cells for mass spectrometry analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Analyzing proteins and peptides bound to surfaces is challenging.
- Existing methods often involve complex sample preparation and background noise.
- A need exists for efficient, high-throughput surface-based analyte isolation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel acoustophoresis-based microfluidic platform.
- To enable direct, sequential elution of analytes from bead- or cell-bound samples.
- To facilitate subsequent purification and mass spectrometry analysis.
Main Methods:
- Acoustophoresis-based microfluidic flow-chip design.
- Sequential buffer treatment and elution of bound analytes.
- Miniaturized solid-phase extraction for purification.
- Matrix assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) for analysis.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated retention of beads/cells using acoustic radiation force.
- Successfully performed sequential elution with up to five different buffer conditions.
- Validated the system's fluidics and dispersion characteristics.
- Applied the device for peptide elution from microbeads and human spermatozoa.
Conclusions:
- The acoustophoresis microfluidic chip is a powerful tool for analyzing surface-bound peptides and proteins.
- The platform enables efficient sample preparation, reducing background noise.
- This technology has potential applications in proteomics and diagnostics involving cell-surface analytes.
