Three Dimensional Micro-Fluidics

"The miniaturization and automation of biochemical assays has had tremendous effect on the pace of scientific discovery, as shown by the human genome project and by high throughput screening in the pharmaceutical development process. The Phase I objectiveis to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing moving optical gradient forces, OptophoresisT, to provide rapid, multiplexed processing of biological, cellular and environmental samples in a 3D-microfluidic device. We will demonstrate that a cell'sOptophoretic constant provides a uniquely identifiable signature for the direct, in-channel detection and compact optical manipulation and sorting of biological particles including different types of cells, bacteria, and spores. Sample preparation will beaccomplished using binary and higher order microfluidic channel junctions at which various steps of complexity reduction, buffer exchange, concentration, etc. are performed. In Phase II these devices will be integrated into compact instruments thatprovide serial and multiplex sample-to-answer capability for biowarfare applications, environmental monitoring, forensics, clinical diagnostics, drug discovery, pharmacogenomics, medical diagnostics, etc. We intend to leverage advances from thetelecommunications industry such as improved light sources, e.g., bar lasers and Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, VCSELs, and improved fiber technology to provide tighter integration of the optics