Molecular Detection & Sorting 
Figure 1: General idea of microfluidics sorting: multistep
screening of the sample until an appropriate concentration and
selection of target molecules is achieved. The selection of the
path for the fluid depends on the strength and duration of the
monitored photothermal signal.
Background
The scientific developments of the last years have led to the
construction of large-scale chemical and genetic libraries. The
potential of these libraries is numerous, but the applications are
greatly limited by the current capacity in screening
technology.
There is a growing need for faster and more sensitive methods
that enable detection and sorting (discrimination/filtration) of
macromolecules.
Researchers at Leiden University have developed a novel method
to detect labelled particles or single molecules and sort them out
at much higher speeds than is possible with conventional
technologies, thereby allowing high-throughput screening of single
molecules.
The method (international patent application filed) involves a
combination of (i) labelling technique of metal nanoparticles, (ii)
photothermal microscopy for detection of metal labels, (iii)
microfluidic sorting device for multistep sorting. Similar
microfluidics selection cannot be performed using convenÂtional
methods (specifically magnetic beads, column filtration, and
centrifugation) due to present sensitivity limitations and
stability of labels.
With this product more applications with libraries will be
possible in the cellular/molecular biology field of analytics and
diagnostics. Another application includes clinical
immunodiagÂnostics; this device improves sensitivity of assays for
rare circulating protein biomarkers, which enables detection of a
disease (e.g. microbial/viral infections, cancer) at an earlier
stage.
The inventors are looking for a commercial partner with special
interest in sorting, and expertise in microfluidics and optical
detection technologies to undertake prototype development and
further commercialization.
Presentation at Medtechpartners resulted in 4 interested
contacts
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