Surface mediated self-assembly of nanoparticles

1. A method of separating biomolecules from a sample, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a solid phase nanoparticle matrix comprising nanoparticles having a surface area to volume ratio (m2/cm3) greater than 10, and densities (p) of 2 or more;

b) selecting a subset of the nanoparticles having sedimentation rates in water where the sedimentation velocity is between about 0.1 cm/min at 10,000 G (Vmin) and about 2 cm/min at 500 G (Vmax) at standard temperature and pressure, and wherein the subset of nanoparticles form a colloidal suspension in aqueous solution;

c) treating the sample with the subset of nanoparticles forming the solid phase nanoparticle matrix in colloidal suspension and allowing biomolecules from the sample to bind to the subset of nanoparticles forming the solid phase nanoparticle matrix, thereby forming biomolecule-nanoparticle complexes;

d) adding magnetic beads to the sample and allowing the biomolecule-nanoparticle complexes to associate with the magnetic beads, thereby forming biomolecule-nanoparticle-magnetic bead complexes;

e) partitioning the biomolecule-nanoparticle-magnetic bead complexes from the colloidal suspension by exposing the sample to a magnetic field;

f) eluting the bound biomolecules from the biomolecule-nanoparticle-magnetic bead complexes; and

g) recovering the eluted biomolecules.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solid-phase nanoparticle matrix further comprises particles having a molecular coating specific for binding a predetermined class of biomolecule.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of DNA, RNA, immunoglobulin, protein, and peptide.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solid-phase nanoparticle matrix further comprises particles selected from the group consisting of (a) metals, semi-metals, and non-metals and their corresponding oxides, carbides, hydroxides, nitrides, phosphates, alloys, and silicates, (b) ceramics, clays, glasses, crystals and mixtures thereof, and (c) linear or branched polymers comprised of carbon, germanium, silicon, or complexes thereof.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the solid-phase nanoparticle matrix further comprises a clay selected from the group consisting of naturally derived mineral mixtures silicates, metal silicates, phyllo silicates, kaolinates, kaolin, micas, smectites, montmollinites, bentonite, quartzes, aluminosilicates, and magnesium silicates, and talc, in the form of crystals, ceramics, or glasses.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the solid-phase nanoparticle matrix further comprises an oxide of a metal, semi-metal, or non-metal.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the oxide is selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, and tungsten oxide.

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the molecular coating is selected from the group consisting of alkanes, amines, carboxylates, detergents, neutral polymers, oxyanions, organosilanes, and mixtures thereof.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solid phase nanoparticle matrix is treated with borate, and the magnetic beads are coated with polymers of polyalcohols or polysaccharides.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solid phase nanoparticle matrix is treated with phosphate, and the magnetic beads are coated with a polycarboxylate.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solid phase nanoparticle matrix and the magnetic beads are coated with borate.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solid phase nanoparticle matrix and the magnetic beads are coated with a thiophilic structure.

13. A method of separating biomolecules from a sample, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a solid phase, magnetic nanoparticle matrix comprising nanoparticles having a surface area to volume ratio (m2/cm3) greater than 10, and densities (p) of 2 or more;

b) selecting a subset of the nanoparticles having sedimentation rates in water where the sedimentation velocity is between about 0.1 cm/min at 10,000 G (Vmin) and about 2 cm/min at 500 G (Vmax) at standard temperature and pressure, and wherein the subset of nanoparticles form a colloidal suspension in aqueous solution;

c) treating the sample with the subset of nanoparticles forming the solid phase, magnetic nanoparticle matrix in colloidal suspension and allowing biomolecules from the sample to bind to the subset of nanoparticles forming the solid phase, magnetic nanoparticle matrix in colloidal suspension, thereby forming biomolecule-magnetic nanoparticle complexes;

d) partitioning the biomolecule-magnetic nanoparticle complexes from the colloidal suspension by exposing the treated sample to a magnetic field;

e) eluting the bound biomolecules from the biomolecule-magnetic nanoparticle complexes; and

f) recovering the eluted biomolecules.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the solid phase, magnetic nanoparticle matrix comprises a non-ferrous magnetic material.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the solid phase, magnetic nanoparticle matrix further comprises particles having a molecular coating specific for binding a predetermined class of biomolecule.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of DNA, RNA, immunoglobulin, protein, and peptide.