Separating extracellular vesicles and lipoproteins via acoustofluidics

Lab Chip. 2019 Mar 27;19(7):1174-1182. doi: 10.1039/c8lc01134f.

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and lipoproteins are abundant and co-exist in blood. Both have been proven to be valuable as diagnostic biomarkers and for therapeutics. However, EVs and lipoproteins are both on the submicron scale and overlap in size distributions. Conventional methods to separate EVs and lipoproteins are inefficient and time-consuming. Here we present an acoustofluidic-based separation technique that is based on the acoustic property differences of EVs and lipoproteins. By using the acoustofluidic technology, EVs and subgroups of lipoproteins are separated in a label-free, contact-free, and continuous manner. With its ability for simple, rapid, efficient, continuous-flow isolation, our acoustofluidic technology could be a valuable tool for health monitoring, disease diagnosis, and personalized medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics / instrumentation*
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Equipment Design
  • Extracellular Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices*
  • Lipoproteins / isolation & purification*
  • Nylons
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Lipoproteins
  • Nylons
  • poly(dimethylsiloxane)-polyamide copolymer