Biomolecular motor-driven molecular sorter

Lab Chip. 2009 May 7;9(9):1282-5. doi: 10.1039/b900753a. Epub 2009 Feb 18.

Abstract

We have developed a novel, microfabricated, stand-alone microfluidic device that can efficiently sort and concentrate (bio-)analyte molecules by using kinesin motors and microtubules as a chemo-mechanical transduction machine. The device removes hundreds of targeted molecules per second from an analyte stream by translocating functionalized microtubules with kinesin across the stream and concentrating them at a horseshoe-shaped collector. Target biomolecule concentrations increase up to three orders of magnitude within one hour of operation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biopolymers / chemistry*
  • Biopolymers / isolation & purification*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / chemistry*
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Protein Interaction Mapping / instrumentation*
  • Protein Interaction Mapping / methods

Substances

  • Biopolymers
  • Molecular Motor Proteins