Magnetic Encoded Sortable Particle Arrays

描述（由申请人提供）：该项目的目的是开发一种新的“液体阵列”平台，基于编码可分选颗粒（ESP）技术。ESP是光学编码的微制造颗粒，可以使用磁力进行操纵。它们是在市售的MEMS设备上制造的，使用的是从半导体行业借来的高效和可靠的技术。它们在成本、通量、可扩展性和灵活性方面优于现有的基于珠的液体阵列平台。我们将开发一种液体阵列系统，可容纳1，000路或更高的多路复用水平，并且比现有系统更灵活、更易于使用。它的设计还将大大降低资本和运行成本，并具有类似或更好的定量性能，包括精度、检测限和动态范围。 ESP技术将为许多不同类型的测定提供广阔的平台。它本质上是多功能的，并有潜力用于基础生物医学研究，以及高通量发现和临床诊断。磁性控制颗粒的能力是一个显著的优点。该技术有可能用于癌症和各种其他疾病的基础研究、诊断和预后。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The aim of this project is to develop a novel 'liquid array' platform, based on Encoded Sortable Particle (ESP) technology. ESPs are optically-encoded microfabricated particles that can be manipulated using magnetic force. They are manufactured on commercially available photolithographic equipment, using efficient and robust techniques borrowed from the semiconductor industry. They have significant advantages in cost, throughput, scalability, and flexibility over existing bead-based liquid array platforms. We will develop a liquid array system that can accommodate multiplexing levels of 1,000-plex or more, and that will be more flexible and easier to use than existing systems. Its design will also permit substantially lower capital and running costs and similar or better quantitative performance, including precision, limit of detection and dynamic range. The ESP technology will provide a broad platform for many different kinds of assays. It is intrinsically versatile, and has the potential to be used in basic biomedical research, as well as high-throughput discovery and clinical diagnostics. The ability to control the particles magnetically is a significant advantage. The technology has the potential to be useful in basic research, diagnosis and prognosis of cancer, and a wide variety of other diseases.