NONLINEAR MAGNETOPHORETIC SEPARATION OF BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES

摘要

A method of separating a target biological analyte from a mixture of substances in a fluid sample employs nonlinear magnetophoresis. In the method, magnetic particles having the capacity to bind to the target analyte are contacted with the fluid sample so that the analyte is immobilized on the surface of at least some of the particles. The magnetic particles are provided adjacent an array of micromagnets patterned on a substrate so that the particles are attracted the micromagnets. The magnetic particles are then subjected to a traveling magnetic field operating at or above a frequency effective to sweep those particles not bound to analyte to an adjacent micromagnet. Those magnetic particles bound to analyte have a larger size or smaller magnetic moment that prevents them from being moved to adjacent micromagnets, thereby affording separation of the analyte. Biological analytes that can be separated by the invention include macromolecules, cells, viruses, bacteria, fungal spores, or other pathogens.