Systems and methods for bead-based assays in ferrofluids
Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for separating, directing, and/or extracting a target molecule from a mix of molecules and may comprise a plurality of non-magnetic beads suspended in a ferro fluid, where the non-magnetic beads may be functionalized with at least one predetermined first molecule configured to bind with a target particle. A microfluidic device may be included which may comprise at least one microfluidic channel, the device configured to dynamically and/or statically receive an amount of the mix. Magnetic field means may be included and may be configured to apply a magnetic field to at least a portion of the at least one channel to exert an indirect force on the non-magnetic heads in the ferro fluid mix, and separate the non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid. The beads may then be directed to at least one receptor region. At least one outlet may be provided which is arranged to be in communication with the at least one microfluidic channel, the at least one outlet may be configured to receive and extract the separated non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid.
1 . A method for extracting a target particle from a mix of particles, comprising:
suspending a plurality of non-magnetic beads in a ferrofluid; the non-magnetic beads being functionalized with at least one predetermined first molecule configured to bind with a target particle;
mixing or otherwise exposing the ferrofluid to a plurality of particles forming a mix, wherein one or more target particles of the plurality of particles bind with at least some of the non-magnetic beads;
flowing the mix through at least one microfluidic channel; and
applying a magnetic field to at least a portion of the at least one channel, wherein the magnetic field is configured to exert an indirect force on the non-magnetic beads to separate the non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid, and
flowing the separated non-magnetic beads over at least one receptor region provided along the channel, wherein the target particles bind to the molecules of the receptor region.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising extracting the non-magnetic beads from the mix.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting the target particles after at least one of separation and extraction via detection means.
4 . A method for assaying a target particle, comprising:
suspending a plurality of non-magnetic beads in a ferrofluid;
mixing or otherwise exposing the ferrofluid to a plurality of particles forming a mix, the plurality of particles including one or more target particles;
flowing the mix such that the ferrofluid carries the non-magnetic beads; and
capturing the one or more target particles.
5 . A bead-based assay ferrofluid apparatus comprising:
a ferrofluid including a sample containing a mixture of particles and functionalized beads;
a pump;
a channel inlet;
a fluidic channel; and
a magnetic field source comprising at least one of one or more planar electrodes, an electromagnet and a permanent magnet.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a receptor region.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a detection means.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein capturing the one or more target particles is via a receptor region.
9 . A system for extracting a target molecule from a mix of molecules, comprising:
a plurality of non-magnetic beads suspended in a ferrofluid, the non-magnetic beads being functionalized with at least one predetermined first molecule configured to bind with a target particle;
a plurality of particles, wherein the plurality of particles arc mixed with the ferrofluid containing the non-magnetic beads resulting in a ferrofluid mix; and
a microfluidic device comprising at least one microfluidic channel, the device configured to dynamically and/or statically receive an amount of the mix;
magnetic field means configured to:
apply a magnetic field to at least a portion of the at least one channel to exert an indirect force on the non-magnetic beads in the ferrofluid mix,
separate the non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid, and
direct the non-magnetic beads to at least one receptor region.
10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising at least one outlet.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic field source includes at least one of planar electrodes, electromagnets or a magnet array.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ferrofluid includes a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles and the magnetic field is further configured to drive the magnetic nanoparticles in a first direction opposite a second direction in which the non-magnetic beads are driven.