Strategies for AC electrokinetic manipulation and detection of viruses in microfluidic environments

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The inability of present-day diagnostic tools to provide early detection of pathogenic viruses (HIV-AIDS, H1N1, West Nile) does not allow prevention or early containment of an infection. Additionally, governments around the world, along with civilians and the military, are becoming increasingly concerned with threats of biological warfare and bio-terrorism attacks. Unfortunately, testing for pathogenic particles requires time-consuming and laborious procedures that usually must be performed in properly equipped, centralized facilities. This translates into delayed diagnoses, higher health care costs, lost of work productivity and, most importantly, preventable fatalities. Research in device miniaturization, however, has generated hope that micro-sensors, such as those used today for blood glucose monitoring, will one day enable on-site detection of viruses in "portable laboratories".