Ring magnets for magnetic beads trapping in a capillary

Magnetic Particle Plug-Based Assays for Biomarker Analysis

Conventional immunoassays offer selective and quantitative detection of a number of biomarkers, but are laborious and time-consuming. Magnetic particle-based assays allow easy and rapid selection of analytes, but still suffer from the requirement of tedious multiple reaction and washing steps. Here, we demonstrate the trapping of functionalised magnetic particles within a microchannel for performing rapid immunoassays by flushing consecutive reagent and washing solutions over the trapped particle plug. Three main studies were performed to investigate the potential of the platform for quantitative analysis of biomarkers: (i) a streptavidin-biotin binding assay; (ii) a sandwich assay of the inflammation biomarker, C-reactive protein (CRP); and (iii) detection of the steroid hormone, progesterone (P4), towards a competitive assay. Quantitative analysis with low limits of detection was demonstrated with streptavidin-biotin, while the CRP and P4 assays exhibited the ability to detect clinically relevant analytes, and all assays were completed in only 15 min. These preliminary results show the great potential of the platform for performing rapid, low volume magnetic particle plug-based assays of a range of clinical biomarkers via an exceedingly simple technique.

Individual organelle pH determinations of magnetically enriched endocytic organelles via laser-induced fluorescence detection

The analysis of biotransformations that occur in lysosomes and other endocytic organelles is critical to studies on intracellular degradation, nutrient recycling, and lysosomal storage disorders. Such analyses require bioactive organelle preparations that are devoid of other contaminating organelles. Commonly used differential centrifugation techniques produce impure fractions and may not be compatible with microscale separation platforms. Density gradient centrifugation procedures reduce the level of impurities but may compromise bioactivity. Here we report on simple magnetic setup and a procedure that produce highly enriched bioactive organelles based on their magnetic capture as they traveled through open tubes. Following capture, in-line laser-induced fluorecence detection (LIF) determined for the first time the pH of each magnetically retained individual endocytic organelle. Unlike bulk measurements, this method was suitable to describe the distributions of pH values in endocytic organelles from L6 rat myoblasts treated with dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (for magnetic retention) and fluorescein/TMRM-conjugated dextran (for pH measurements by LIF). Their individual pH values ranged from 4 to 6, which is typical of bioactive endocytic organelles. These analytical procedures are of high relevance to evaluate lysosomal-related degradation pathways in aging, storage disorders, and drug development.