Planar Capillary Electrophoresis

在化学系(CHE)化学测量和成像(CMI)计划的支持下，以及已建立的激励竞争研究计划(EPSCoR)的共同资助下，堪萨斯大学的Robert Dunn教授和他的团队正在开发创新的、具有成本效益的方法来快速分析复杂的混合物。血液和尿液等混合物含有数千种分子，它们反映了人体内发生的正常功能。隐藏在这些复杂的液体中的可能是关于疾病或紊乱的分子线索，如果及早发现这些线索可以帮助他们的治疗。邓恩博士和他的团队正在开发新的方法，通过像人类头发一样细的细小毛细管分离混合物，从而快速检测这些分子。毛细管的薄壁可以对基本分离参数进行独特的控制，这些参数将被开发以增强检测。研究计划将基础研究与工程学的应用测量和要素相结合，从而使学生接触到一个高度跨学科和协作的研究环境。与新的样品液滴输送系统相结合，完全集成的分析平台有可能为分离科学提供重要的新能力。该研究项目将在高度协作和跨学科的环境中培养本科生和研究生，从而增加专业发展的机会。平面毛细管电泳法(PCE)使用短毛细管快速分离和检测复杂混合物中的物种。PCE使用10厘米全长毛细管(50微米直径。X 80um o.d.)具有超薄的毛细管壁(15微米)，可有效散热并减轻焦耳加热的影响。超薄壁的应用为开发新的方法和探索基本过程提供了特殊的机会。例如，它便于使用外部施加的电场来调节Zeta电位和控制电渗流(EOF)。这使得可以方便地控制EOF，并导致峰值效率的显著提高。将通过实验和仿真充分探索后者的机理，并对其进行优化以提高性能。细毛细管也非常灵活，使分离路径多次穿过检测区的环状几何结构成为可能。这将被开发用于配体结合的动力学研究。最后，较小的毛细管直径将能够与数字微流控(DMF)相结合，开发在通用性方面具有巨大潜力的完全集成的分析和经济型平台。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI) Program in the Division of Chemistry (CHE) and co-funding from the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), Professor Robert Dunn and his group at the University of Kansas are developing innovative, cost-effective approaches for rapidly analyzing complex mixtures. Mixtures such as blood and urine contain thousands of molecules that reflect the normal functions taking place within the human body. Hidden within these complicated fluids can be molecular clues about diseases or disorders, that if detected early can aid in their treatment. Dr. Dunn and his group are developing new approaches to rapidly detect these molecules by separating mixtures through small capillaries that are as thin as a human hair. The thin wall of the capillary enables unique control over fundamental separation parameters which will be developed to enhance detection. The research plan combines fundamental studies with applied measurements and elements of engineering, thus exposing students to a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment. Combined with a novel sample droplet delivery system, the fully integrated analysis platform has the potential to provide significant new capabilities for separations science. This research project will train undergraduate and graduate students in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, leading to enhanced opportunities for professional development.Planar capillary electrophoresis (PCE) uses a short length capillary to rapidly separate and detect species in complex mixtures. The PCE uses a 10 cm total length capillary (50 um i.d. x 80 um o.d.) with an ultra-thin capillary wall (15 um) that efficiently dissipates heat and mitigates the effects of Joule heating. The utiization of an ultra-thin wall provides particular opportunities for developing new approaches and probing fundamental processes. For example, it facilitates the use of an externally applied field to modify the zeta potential and control electroosmotic flow (EOF). This allows facile control of the EOF and leads to a significant increase in peak efficiency. The mechanism for the latter will be fully explored through experiment and simulation and optimized to improve performance. The thin capillaries are also highly flexible, enabling looped geometries that bring the separation path across the detection zone multiple times. This will be developed for kinetic studies of ligand-binding. Finally, the small capillary diameter will enable coupling with digital microfluidics (DMF) to develop fully integrated analysis and economical platforms that have great potential in terms of versatility.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.