SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BEAD-BASED ASSAYS IN FERROFLUIDS

摘要

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for separating, directing, and/or extracting a target molecule from a mix of molecules and may comprise a plurality of non-magnetic beads suspended in a ferro fluid, where the non-magnetic beads may be functionalized with at least one predetermined first molecule configured to bind with a target particle. A microfluidic device may be included which may comprise at least one microfluidic channel, the device configured to dynamically and/or statically receive an amount of the mix. Magnetic field means may be included and may be configured to apply a magnetic field to at least a portion of the at least one channel to exert an indirect force on the non-magnetic beads in the ferro fluid mix, and separate the non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid. The beads may then be directed to at least one receptor region. At least one outlet may be provided which is arranged to be in communication with the at least one microfluidic channel, the at least one outlet may be configured to receive and extract the separated non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid.

主权项

1. A method for extracting a target particle from a mix of particles, comprising:
suspending a plurality of non-magnetic beads in a ferrofluid, the non-magnetic beads being functionalized with at least one predetermined first molecule configured to bind with a target particle; mixing or otherwise exposing the ferrofluid to a plurality of particles forming a mix, wherein target particles contained in the plurality of particles bind with the first molecules functionalized on the non-magnetic beads; flowing the mix through at least one micro fluidic channel; and applying a magnetic field to at least a portion of the at least one channel, wherein the magnetic field is configured to exert an indirect force on the non-magnetic beads to separate the non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid.