SBIR-STTR Award

Bio Array Solutions (BAS) proposes to apply its novel platform technology of light-controlled Electrokinetic Assembly of Particles near Surfaces (LEAPS) to develop an analytical system in a planar, "on-chip" format. Combining AC (and/or DC) electric fields with interactive light control, LEAPS provides a tool set of fundamental operations to control the transport and positioning of particles and biomolecules in a solution confined between two planar electrodes. In particular, planar colloidal arrays may be formed in designated areas of the electrode surface, and these dynamic plannar arrays may be subjected to operations such as: place-and-hold; translocate; split; merge; etc. This technology permits a novel approach to fluid and matter transport that is functionally integrated with the spatial confinement and concatenation, respectively, of conconccurent and sequential analytical procedures. The phase I effort will focus on the introduction of an integrated analytical system based on the novel methology of dynamic planar arrays that is native to the planar geometry of on-chip chemical analysis. A selection of essential functional system components will be demonstrated: in-situ sample purification; mixed-phase activity assay for a critical enzyme in the eucaryotic signal transuction pathway; and the automated, real-time parallel processing of dynamic planar arrays by externally imposed patterns of illumination from a spacially addressable source array.

BioArray Solutions (BAS) proposes to apply its novel platform technology of Light-controlled Electrokinetic Assembly of Particles near Surfaces (LEAPS) to continue the development of a multi-functional bioanalytical system in a planar, "on-chip" format. LEAPS provides a tool set of fundamental operations to control the transport and positioning of particles and biomolecules in a solution confined between two planar electrodes. In particular, planar colloidal arrays may be formed in designated areas of the electrode surface, and these dynamic bead arrays may be reconfigured and segmented under interactive, light-mediated control. This technology permits a novel, functionally integrated approach to the implementation of analytical procedures that is native to the planar geometry of on-chip analysis. The Phase II effort will address system development and functional integration to extend the capabilities demonstrated in Phase I with the goal of delivering an On-chip Chemical Analysis Platform. Specific application development will focus on two areas: immunodiagnostic testing for multiple agents in a highly parallel bead array format; and the optimization of an on-bead optical assay monitoring enzymatic activity for the detection of neurotoxins.