Continuous biomolecule separation in a nanofilter

摘要

This invention provides a method and an apparatus for quickly continuously fractionating biomolecules, such as DNAs, proteins and carbohydrates by taking advantage of differential bidirectional transport of biomolecules with varying physico-chemical characteristics, for example size, charge, hydrophobicity, or combinations thereof, through periodic arrays of microfabricated nanofilters. The passage of biomolecules through the nanofilter is a function of both steric and electrostatic interactions between charged macromolecules and charged nanofilter walls, Continuous-flow separation through the devices of this invention are applicable for molecules varying in terms of any molecular properties (e.g., size, charge density or hydrophobicity) that can lead to differential transport across the nanofilters.

主权项

1. A biomolecular sorter comprising:
a) a substrate; b) a plurality of obstacles arranged at regular intervals in a plurality of rows, columns or combinations thereof on a surface of said substrate; c) a sample inlet to said sorter; d) at least a first conduit for applying an electrostatic force field or hydrodynamic force field parallel in direction to said rows; and e) at least a second conduit for applying an electrostatic force field or hydrodynamic force field parallel in direction to said columns, and perpendicular in direction to said rows; wherein said obstacles are so arranged as to form gaps between said obstacles, with horizontal gaps being of a depth less than vertical gaps between said obstacles, the depth of the horizontal gaps is at most 10 nm, said at least a first conduit and said at least a second conduit provide said electrostatic force field or hydrodynamic force field to a sieving matrix by acting as electro-current injectors or fluidic flow injectors which enables separation of materials introduced by a sample provided, wherein a fabrication process of said matrix defines a specified geometrical shape of a cross-section of said rows, said gaps comprise a first set of regions that includes nanofilters and a second set of regions that includes microfluidic channels, said sample transits through said first set and second set of regions, said first set of regions provides steric hindrance of said sample through said transit.