Pressure-assisted selective electropreconcentration in nanofluidic devices for fast detection of extremy low abundant biomarkers. – DIFLUSEL

The goal of this project is to design and study a novel immunoassay device based on a new method of selective electro-preconcentration with fluidic chips bearing a nanochannel. The academic research and the published results have already demonstrated that preconcentration regimes could be controlled with the introduction of a nanochannel in fluidic chips. However, the location of the preocncentration depends strongly of the mobility of the analyte under the electric field. To obtain the selectivity, we propose in this project a novel preconcentration methodology that uses an additional hydronamic pressure to perfectly monitor the competition between both electrophoretic and electro-osmotic flow.This new electro-preconcentration method allows to adjust very precisely the location of the different pre-concentrated analytes, Selectivity is reached since preconcentration and separation of the analytes are obtained in one single step.

Since these micro-nanofluidic devices offer fast preconcentration time of around one minute, this new methodology appears in a real breakthrough compared to conventional ELISA immunoassys. Our very recent experimental results confirm that this additional pressure allows to improve the preconcentration rate. The purpose of DIFLUSEL project will be thus to demonstrated that the limit of detection (LOD) can be 100 time lower than LOD of conventional immuasssays. Thus pathogenic analytes at very low concentration in the femtomolar regime should be detected based on this new methodology. This project will surely have important practical applications for both the defence and civil applications such as medical diagnosis.

This project represents a unique opportunity to merge the expertise of an academic group specialized in nanofluidics (LPN) with the strength of new industrial partner in the field of microfluidic engineering (ELVESYS). The LPN laboratory possesses a group of experts in surface characterization and microfabrication with important clean room facilities. ELVESYS, a french company, became quickly an important actor in the delivery of robust and innovative microfluidic systems and controllers. The success of this project is guaranteed by the scientific background of the LPN in nanofluidics and the ingenuity of Elvesys people. Moreover the 3 researchers involved in this project (A. Plecis, A. Pallandre and A-M Haghiri-Gosnet) have worked togoether on electrokinetics the last 4 years which garantees efficient scientific exchanges.

A completely original and efficient preconcentrating system will be studied to carry out high resolution separation and preconcentration of low abundance biomarkers. This DIFLUSEL project that appears very unique and innovative should also produce several patents.