Patent ID: 8771938
Filing Date: 2014-07-08
Classification: B01J,B01L,B03C,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting a plurality of target nucleic acids, the method comprising: continuously flowing a sample solution comprising the target nucleic acids through a microfluidic device having at least a first surface with a first electrode and a second surface displaced from the first surface at a distance and having a second electrode opposing the first electrode; provided a first and second functionalized nanostructure in solution to the microfluidic device, wherein the first nanostructure is formed by functionalizing a first probe complementary to a first target nucleic acid and the second nanostructure is formed by functionalizing a second probe complementary to a second target nucleic acid; applying an electric current to the electrodes; using the electric field created by the electric current applied to the electrodes to move the nanostructures; trapping the nanostructures within the electric field; mixing the sample solution and the solution providing the nanostructure; hybridizing the target nucleic acids with the nanostructures in the presence of the electric field; hydrodynamically shearing at least one of a non-target or a weakly hybridized target nucleic acid from the nanostructures, wherein the application of the electric current to the nanostructures causes the nanostructure hybridized with the first target to move in a first direction and causes the nanostructure hybridized with the second target to move in a second direction, and wherein the first target and the second target are sorted based on the first direction or the second direction; and evaluating the trapped nanostructures by measuring an electrical impedance between the electrodes to determine a presence, an absence, or a quantity of the first or second target nucleic acids.