Sequential Isoelectric Point Separation of Proteins Using Non-Gel, Microfluidic System

The measurement of biochemical changes within the human body can provide a means to monitor a person’s physiological health. Many of the biochemicals that provide a snapshot of a person’s health are proteins. The challenge with measuring proteins is the existence of approximately ten orders of magnitude difference in concentration between the most abundant proteins in blood and those typically used to determine disease and physiological state. This proposed effort aims to develop a modular mass spectrometer for proteome profiling of readily available biological fluids comprising of user-configurable components for applications ranging from field-deployable pathogenic detection to customizable assays for biomedical diagnostics. The specific innovation is in the fabrication and integration of discrete microscale subsystems, including microfluidic chips for sample processing and miniature mass analyzers for spectroscopic analysis. The small form factor of all components enables the manufacture of compact mass spectrometers that will eventually reside in domestic to far-forward military medical facilities, clinics, doctor’s offices, or even nearby the patient in the hospital setting. The compact form factor will also enable the development of systems for far-forward deployment capable of on-site detection and monitoring of biological warfare agents / toxins.