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A high-efficiency superhydrophobic plasma separator
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A high-efficiency superhydrophobic plasma separator

Changchun Liu, Shih-Chuan Liao, Jinzhao Song, Michael G. Mauk, Xuanwen Li, Gaoxiang Wu, Dengteng Ge, Robert M. Greenberg, Shu Yang and Haim H. Bau
Lab on a chip, v 16(3), pp 553-560
07 Feb 2016
PMID: 26732765
url
https://europepmc.org/articles/pmc4729584View
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified) Open

Abstract

Biochemical Research Methods Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Chemistry Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Multidisciplinary Instruments & Instrumentation Life Sciences & Biomedicine Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Physical Sciences Science & Technology Science & Technology - Other Topics Technology
To meet stringent limit-of-detection specifications for low abundance target molecules, a relatively large volume of plasma is needed for many blood-based clinical diagnostics. Conventional centrifugation methods for plasma separation are not suitable for on-site testing or bedside diagnostics. Here, we report a simple, yet high-efficiency, clamshell-style, superhydrophobic plasma separator that is capable of separating a relatively large volume of plasma from several hundred microliters of whole blood (finger-prick blood volume). The plasma separator consists of a superhydrophobic top cover with a separation membrane and a superhydrophobic bottom substrate. Unlike previously reported membrane-based plasma separators, the separation membrane in our device is positioned at the top of the sandwiched whole blood film to increase the membrane separation capacity and plasma yield. In addition, the device's superhydrophobic characteristics (i) facilitates the formation of well-defined, contracted, thin blood film with a high contact angle; (ii) minimizes biomolecular adhesion to surfaces; (iii) increases blood clotting time; and (iv) reduces blood cell hemolysis. The device demonstrated a "blood in-plasma out" capability, consistently extracting 65 +/- 21.5 mu L of plasma from200 mu L of whole blood in less than 10 min without electrical power. The device was used to separate plasma from Schistosoma mansoni genomic DNA-spiked whole blood with a recovery efficiency of > 84.5 +/- 25.8%. The S. mansoni genomic DNA in the separated plasma was successfully tested on our custom-made microfluidic chip by using loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Biochemical Research Methods
Chemistry, Analytical
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Instruments & Instrumentation
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
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