Device Speeds Sample Preparation

A new dielectrophoretic device may revolutionize sample preparation by delivering detectable amounts of material in small water sample volumes, eliminating any need for overnight culturing and speeding up overall water analysis.

The insulator-based dielectrophoretic device (iDEP) concentrates live pathogenic bacteria within large water samples. In addition to water analysis, the technology may also have applications beneficial to a host of other applications. The technology was developed by researchers at Sandia [U.S.] National Laboratories (Livermore, CA, USA).

The scientists at Scandia are developing application-specific iDEP devices and architectures for concentrating and separating bacteria, spores, viruses, and other particles. iDEP could also enable verification of biologic decontamination efficacy for viable cell populations, as contrasted to inactivated cells and denatured proteins. For public health purposes, it could improve water analysis and spore and vegetative cell differentiation. In addition, iDEP could separate nanoparticles and nanotubes for materials synthesis.

Scandia is seeking commercial partners to further develop the technology to differentiate between live and dead cells for cell culturing; to sort anomalous cells to diagnose diseases such as cancer, sickle cell anemia, and leukemia; and to concentrate and focus on samples for proteomics research and drug discovery.

"In laboratories, iDEP could contribute to differential sorting of live and dead cells in cell culturing, and allow for protein isolation and concentration, sample concentration and focusing, analytical chemistry, and mass spectrometry for proteomics and drug discovery,” observed Carrie Burchard, a business development manager at Sandia.




Related Links:
Sandia Nat'l Laboratories