Projects / Programmes
Thermophoretic guidance, accumulation and sorting of biomolecules in microfluidic devices
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.02.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B002 |
Biomedical sciences |
Biophysics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.03 |
Natural Sciences |
Physical sciences |
microfluidics, thermophoresis, biomolecules, particle sorting, thermoviscous pumping
Researchers (9)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Within the scope of this project we will investigate the use of thermal gradients for manipulation of microparticles and biomolecules in microfluidics. A thermal gradient results in a thermophoretic force on molecules, which typically moves them from hot to cold region. The combination of thermophoresis and an additional fluid flow can lead to a strong accumulation of molecules, which is called thermal trap. The flow can be created using thermoviscous pumping.
The main goal of the project is the development of a thermal molecular trap integrated on a microfluidic chip. Instead of complex optothermal generation of fluid flows and thermal gradients in the existing trap designs we will use a linear array of ohmic microheaters integrated on a chip. Such thermal trap will be robust, easy to use, inexpensive and suitable for mobile “lab-on-a-chip” systems. The integrated trap could be used to sort and filter particles, accumulate molecules for improved detection sensitivity, enhance diffusion-limited chemical reactions.
A simplified version of the microfluidic chip with one integrated microheater will be suitable for thermophoretic measurements of biomolecular binding affinities using microscale thermophoresis. Parallelization of the measurement using several microchanels at once will enable measurement of a ligand-receptor binding curve in a single step.
Significance for science
The project brought technical progress in the field of microfluidics. We have developed two new functional units, suitable for integration into “lab-on-a-chip” systems: the micropump, operating on the principle of thermovisous pumping and the thermal molecular trap. This unique approach on a small surface allows rapid accumulation of biomolecules or particles from the surrounding solution. Such a trap can upgrade a plethora of existing microfluidic applications, from acceleration of diffusion-limited chemical reactions to improving the fluorescence detection level. The system of two or more thermal traps enables sorting of nano- and microparticles and biomolecules. Developed microfluidic chips with one microheater are useful for rapid thermophoretic quantification of particles and molecules. The microheater, placed under parallelly running microchannels, creates the same thermal gradient in all channels, allowing simultaneous measurement of thermophoretic depletion under different conditions. Therefore, for example, one can measure the binding affinity of the receptor / ligand system in a single step, which is of direct interest to pharmaceutical research and medicine, as it allows for an insight of the functionality at the molecular level.
Significance for the country
The field of microfluidics is developing at a high speed, and in the future we expect a great breakthrough in the use of diagnostic microfluidic applications ("lab-on-a-chip" systems). The in the project developed functional units will surely find important practical applications in the devices that will be part of the new development cycle. In Slovenia, the pharmaceutical industry (Krka, Lek ...) is extremely important. In the future it will be certainly focused on the fields of "theranostics" and "personal medicine". For quick diagnostics without conventional laboratories (e.g. at home), the use of microfluidic devices will be necessary. The results of the research carried out can thus lead to new products that will contribute to the further development of the industry and the possible emergence of new enterprises. The project was also an excellent promotion for two Slovenian companies, the spin-off company Aresis d.o.o., developing optical tweezers, and the medium-sized company LPKF Lasers & Electronics, which developed a system for direct photolithography. Both companies work closely with the group. Since their products are primarily intended for research use, publications in international publications, lectures at conferences and visits by foreign scientists in our laboratory are the best advertising channel for them. Through the connection with university education and training program for young researchers, the research carried out significantly contributed to the education of experts in the field of microfluidics. By presenting the results of research at international conferences, we contributed to the recognition of Slovenia in the world.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
final report
