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Voltage-gated nanofluidic devices for protein capture, concentration, and release
Kaushik K Rangharajan1, Shaurya Prakash1
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Ohio State University, 201 W. 19th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 USA. prakash.31@osu.edu.
The Analyst
|August 2, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a novel nanofluidic device with non-uniform electric fields for protein concentration. The device successfully concentrates proteins, achieving nearly a tenfold increase, and allows for controlled release.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Microfluidic and nanofluidic devices are crucial for biological sample manipulation.
- Controlling molecular concentration within these devices is essential for various applications.
- Existing methods often lack precise spatial control over molecular concentration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a nanofluidic device capable of spatially controlled protein concentration.
- To investigate the effect of non-uniform electric fields on protein capture and release.
- To demonstrate the device's efficacy using a model protein.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a planar, hybrid microfluidic-nanofluidic device.
- Integration of spatially, non-uniformly distributed, individually addressable gate electrodes.
- Application of electric fields to induce non-uniform field distribution within nanochannels.
- Utilizing fluorescence intensity to quantify protein concentration changes.
Main Results:
- Achieved localized capture and concentration of proteins within nanochannels.
- Demonstrated controlled release of proteins by removing the gate potential.
- Observed a maximum protein concentration increase of nearly one order of magnitude.
- Validated the device's performance with bovine serum albumin.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanofluidic device enables precise spatial control over protein concentration.
- The non-uniform electric field distribution is effective for both concentrating and releasing proteins.
- This technology holds potential for applications in biosensing and molecular analysis.
