High-Throughput Brain Injury Proteomic Microassay

SFC Fluidics in coordination with the University of Arkansas proposes to develop an immunoassay based lab-on-a-chip using the advantages of self-contained microelectrochemical detection and redox magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) microfluidics for the rapid detection of biomarkers of traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a pinprick sample of blood. The disposable cartridge will contain all of the reagents necessary to complete the assay and will move the components of the assay along preprogrammed paths. All that the user will need to do is inject a known quantity of blood serum from a patient, push a button and wait ~30 min for a digital readout of results. The instrument will be designed to be sturdy and compact as would be necessary for diagnosing a soldier in the field. In Phase I we will demonstrate the microelectrochemical-based assay platform to simultaneously detect two TBI biomarkers in blood serum for which monoclonal antibodies are commercially available. Phase I will also focus on the manipulation of the immunoassay components in a redox magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) based microfluidic network to show feasibility. This microelectrochemical assay/MHD microfluidic cartridge can be expanded later in Phase II to incorporate many other biomarkers for TBI and allow for portability and complete automation.