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Specific Transport of Target Molecules by Motor Proteins in Microfluidic Channels
Author(s) -
Tarhan Mehmet C.,
Yokokawa Ryuji,
Morin Fabrice O.,
Fujita Hiroyuki
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201300022
Subject(s) - microfluidics , sorting , nanotechnology , miniaturization , molecular motor , proof of concept , transport system , motor protein , computer science , channel (broadcasting) , materials science , engineering , biology , microtubule , computer network , microbiology and biotechnology , transport engineering , programming language , operating system
Direct transport powered by motor proteins can alleviate the challenges presented by miniaturization of microfluidic systems. There have been several recent attempts to build motor‐protein‐driven transport systems based on simple capturing or transport mechanisms. However, to achieve a multifunctional device for practical applications, a more complex sorting/transport system should be realized. Herein, the proof of concept of a sorting device employing selective capture of distinct target molecules and transport of the sorted molecules to different predefined directions is presented. By combining the bottom‐up functionality of biological systems with the top‐down handling capabilities of micro‐electromechanical systems technology, highly selective molecular recognition and motor‐protein‐based transport is integrated in a microfluidic channel network.