Heller M.J., Sonnenberg A.
University of California San Diego, US
Keywords: biomarkers, blood, cancer, DEP, detection, nanoparticles
The ability to rapidly detect cell free circulating (cfc) DNA nanoparticulate biomarkers, drug delivery nanoparticles and virus directly from blood is a major challenge for nanomedicine. We have now developed unique, simple and practical high conductance dielectrophoretic (HC-DEP) devices which allow cfc-DNA, cellular nanoparticles (mitochondria, etc.), nanoparticles and virus to be rapidly isolated from undiluted whole blood. The new HC-DEP devices are simple capillary tube and pipette devices which can be inserted directly into a few microliters of whole blood. An AC voltage from 50-150 volts is applied at frequencies of 5kHz-10kHz which causes cfc-DNA (nanoparticles, virus) to become concentrated on the tip of the device. The material captured on the tip can then be transferred to a collection tube for further analysis (PCR, genotyping, sequencing). The new HC-DEP devices are being used to collect cfc-DNA from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) whole blood patient samples. Blood sample to PCR is achieved in less than twenty minutes. HC-DEP sets the stage for new “seamless” sample to answer diagnostic systems which will allow a variety of important cancer and other disease biomarkers to be rapidly isolated and analyzed directly from blood and other clinical samples.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2011: Bio Sensors, Instruments, Medical, Environment and Energy
Published: June 13, 2011
Pages: 360 - 363
Industry sector: Medical & Biotech
Topics: Biomaterials, Cancer Nanotechnology
ISBN: 978-1-4398-7138-6