An AC Electrokinetic Device for the rapid separation and detection of cancer related DNA nanoparticulate biomarkers

The ability to rapidly detect cell free circulating (cfc) DNA and other nanoparticulate disease biomarkers directly in blood is a major challenge for nanomedicine. We now show that AC Electrokinetic (ACE) microelectrode array devices can be used to rapidly isolate and detect cfc-DNA nanoparticulates directly from whole blood and other high conductance samples (plasma, serum etc.). The device shows isolation of naked DNA in water and plasma at >;500bp size and can isolate DNA down to 50 picograms in 50uL of fluid. Disease specific cfc-DNA materials could also be detected directly in blood from patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.