The miniaturization and automation of biochemical assays has had tremendous effect on the pace of scientific discovery, as shown by the human genome project and by high throughput screening in the pharmaceutical development process. The Phase I objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing moving optical gradient forces, OptophoresisT, to provide rapid, multiplexed processing of biological, cellular and environmental samples in a 3D-microfluidic device. We will demonstrate that a cell's Optophoretic constant provides a uniquely identifiable signature for the direct, in-channel detection and compact optical manipulation and sorting of biological particles including different types of cells, bacteria, and spores. Sample preparation will be accomplished using binary and higher order microfluidic channel junctions at which various steps of complexity reduction, buffer exchange, concentration, etc. are performed. In Phase II these devices will be integrated into compact instruments that provide serial and multiplex sample-to-answer capability for biowarfare applications, environmental monitoring, forensics, clinical diagnostics, drug discovery, pharmacogenomics, medical diagnostics, etc. We intend to leverage advances from the telecommunications industry such as improved light sources, e.g., bar lasers and Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, VCSELs, and improved fiber technology to provide tighter integration of the optics with microfluidic devices. The anticipated benefits/potential commercial applications include novel miniaturized, microfluidic cell analysis and sorting devices, new tools for high throughput screening and pharmaceutical development and novel flow cytometry devices for medical diagnosis and rare cell detection.
Keywords: Microfluidic, Sample Prep, 3d, Biowarfare, Bacteria, Spores, Direct Detection, Vcsel
