Combined Dielectrophoretic Microfluidic System

To address the U.S. Army CBD need for a high resolution system whereby proteins present in a complex mixture can be rapidly and reproducibly separated, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Combined Dielectrophoretic Microfluidic (CDM) System based on the integration of gradient electrodeless dielectrophoresis and dynamic isoelectric focusing techniques, used to carry out two-dimensional protein separation inside a microfluidic chip. The CDM system will be composed of a microfluidic chip, AC and DC power supplies, miniature syringe pump, readout unit, and computer. The CDM system will rapidly (<10 min), and with high resolution and reproducibility, separate proteins from a complex mixture, such as human cell homogenate. The CDM system will be an inexpensive, portable, and easy-to-use automated instrument. In Phase I, POC demonstrated the feasibility of the CDM device by fabricating a prototype, and demonstrating its capability to separate proteins from a fairly simple mixture, in a rapid and reproducible manner. In Phase II, POC will develop a CDM prototype that will rapidly (<10 min) separate biologically relevant proteins in the molecular weight range 16-200 kDa, and pI range 3-12, from a complex mixture, such as human cell homogenate, in a reproducible manner.