Dr. Ana Egatz-Gomez, a TEES research assistant professor in biomedical engineering at Texas A&M University, will present a lecture Wednesday (Nov. 11) at 3:30 p.m. in Room 203 of the Zachry Engineering Center on campus.

Her talk, “Digital Magnetofluidics and Molecular Separations in a Drop,” is part of the Department of Biomedical Engineering’s seminar series.

Abstract
Digital magnetofluidics consists of a novel drop manipulation microfluidic technique. It relies on magnetic fields to control the movement of drops in air, on silicon nanowire (Si NW) superhydrophobic surfaces, using magnetizable micro‐ or nano‐ particles. Key operations such as movement, coalescence, and splitting of aqueous and biological fluid drops, as well as electrochemical measurement of dopamine and glucose have been demonstrated. It is possible to create pH gradients in a drop for protein electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. Fractions with different pI ranges can be obtained through drop splitting. Digital magnetofluidics‐based protein separations can be performed with extreme ease and simplicity, working with proteins in either native or denaturized state, in a few minutes and using low voltage, and also holds promise as a method for removing albumin from serum samples for blood analyses. This is a technology with great potential as a means for rapid preparation and analysis of microliter‐sized biological fluid samples.

Submitted by Nicole Priolo, npriolo@bme.tamu.edu

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