Technologies

To improve analysis, detection, and purification of biopolymers (e.g. nucleic acids, proteins).

Researchers in Prof. Juan Santiago’s laboratory have developed a technique to rapidly preconcentrate and capture biological targets with high specificity and efficiency. The process can be used to reduce reaction times for microarray analyses and affinity chromatography. The protocol includes isotachophoresis (ITP) to selectively focus target molecules as well as other strategies to achieve high efficiency capture of target. Specifically, the liquid phase is quickly displaced using gas flow to preserve the high capture rate achieved during a brief ITP reaction. The process increases sensitivity of assays and reduces the total ligand needed for detection and purification, thereby decreasing the cost of the assay. This microfluidics invention could be coupled with a variety of assays for rapidly purifying, detecting and analyzing proteins or nucleic acids for SNP analyses, biomarker discovery, or clinical diagnostics.ITP-Affinity Chromatography schematic and results.(a) Illustration of assay for ITP-aided affinity chromatography. The target sample is loaded into the TE reservoir of the column and ITP focuses the target before it migrates into the affinity region to be captured by the probe and then eluted. (b) Experimentally measured target concentration showing dynamics of a typical ITP-AC binding experiment.