SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Signal Enhancement Magnetic Trap - A Microchip Apparatus and Method that Enhances a Microfluidic Detector’s Limits
- Notice Date
- 9/13/2012
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 238990
— All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (DOE Contractor), Industrial Partnerships & Commercialization, 7000 East Avenue, L-795, Livermore, California, 94550
- ZIP Code
- 94550
- Solicitation Number
- FBO261-12
- Archive Date
- 10/15/2012
- Point of Contact
- Connie L Pitcock, Phone: 925-422-1072
- E-Mail Address
-
pitcock1@llnl.gov
(pitcock1@llnl.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Signal Enhancement Magnetic Trap - A Microchip Apparatus and Method that Enhances a Microfluidic Detector's Limits Opportunity : Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to partner and license its Signal Enhancement Magnetic Trap - a microchip apparatus and method that enhances a microfluidic detector's limits. Background: Commonly referred to as "lab-on-a-chip" technology, microfluidic devices are transforming detectors and diagnostics in the environmental, chemical, biological, medical, and pharmaceutical fields. Generally speaking these devices quantify, react, and help to characterize and detect samples dissolved in gases and liquids. What makes these devices unique is that they are on the micro-scale and can analyze extremely small quantities of sample with very high levels of sensitivity. They can dramatically reduce reagent costs, minimize processing times, and provide very high resolution. At this point in the detection and diagnostics industry there is a continuing effort to develop devices with lower limits of detection so that even more minute quantities of a target can be detected successfully. Description : Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists have developed a signal enhancing microchip apparatus and method that enhances a microfluidic detector's limits by magnetically focusing the target analytes in a zone of optical convergence. In summary, samples are associated with magnetic nanoparticles or magnetic polystyrene coated beads and moved down the flow channels until they are trapped in a magnetic trap-zone. The concentrated sample is then analyzed and provides up to a thousand fold signal enhancement for optical detection. Reaction volumes required are drastically reduced which improves sensor signal to noise ratio. (Sample amounts needed are one million times smaller than volumes used in current commercial instruments). In addition to providing an enhanced signal, the LLNL scientists also provide methods to conduct complex multi-step sequential reactions all while the targeted molecules are trapped within the imaging and detection zone. This is done by the LLNL developed wash and buffering steps that remove reaction by-products, bring in new reagents, and optimize the pH if desired. Optimal buffer pH's and temperatures can also be determined and changed at different times and in different orders for efficient multi-step reactions and detection, for example, to improve fluorophore emission and detector signal in real-time. Advantages : •· Up to a thousand-fold signal enhancement •· Much greater sensitivity and lower limits of detection •· Sample volumes required for molecular diagnostic analysis such as PCR are up to one million times smaller than current commercial instruments •· Coupling of bead-based sample enrichment with focused optical detection •· Reduction in processing times by an order of magnitude with analysis steps cut in half •· Much greater reduction in costly reagent volumes than with standard MOEMS systems •· Allows for complex multistep reactions and optimization of fluorescent probe optical efficiency •· Several embodiments possible for microfluidic device design and methods (e.g. branched microtubule system for higher throughput) Potential Applications : •· Detection of bacterial cells, viruses, nucleic acids, proteins, biomolecules, chemicals, explosive agents, and other micro-opto-electromechanical system (MOEMS) targets •· Detection via PCR analysis with beads in droplets (partitioned) or continuous systems •· Biowarfare detection and identification of bio-threat agents •· Public health and biomedical monitoring for outbreaks of infectious disease and pathogen infection •· Clinical testing, laboratory research, and forensics testing of biological fluids. (Used in automated processing, amplification, and detection of host and pathogen DNA, RNA, and proteomic signatures). •· High throughput genetic screening for drug discovery and therapeutics •· Food and beverage industry safety testing for contamination •· Uses in cell cytometry and viral cytometry Development Status : System has been tested and analyzed. Seeking partners to further develop the device either through a cooperative research and development agreement or work for others subcontract. System is also available for exclusive or nonexclusive licensing. •· Patent: 8,189,186 •· Technology has been featured in the following publications: •1) "New system detects small samples for big gains," NewsLine, Vol. 32, No. 39, Nov. 16, 2007. •2) Cover Story: "On-Chip, Real-Time, Single-Copy Polymerase Chain Reaction in Picoliter Droplets," by N. Reginald Beer et al.; in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 79, No. 22: Nov. 15, 2007. LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at: https://ipo.llnl.gov/?q=resources-industry-working_with_us for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Microfluidic Partitioning System should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following: 1. Company Name and address. 2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. •3. A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Industrial Partnerships Office c/o Ida C. Shum P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: FBO 261-12 Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's technology.
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- Record
- SN02881708-W 20120915/120914001340-0160dd36c7f40ab9d0509f2abdbc2dc4 (fbodaily.com)
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