Abstract

GARZA-GARCIA, L.D.  and  LAPIZCO-ENCINAS, B.H.. State of the art on protein manipulation employing dielectrophoresis. Rev. Mex. Ing. Quím [online]. 2010, vol.9, n.2, pp.125-137. ISSN 1665-2738.

Microanalytical systems or lab-on-a-chip devices are becoming more important in the field of bioseparations. These microsystems are able to handle the same tasks as conventional lab equipments with the advantages of faster analysis time, requiring less sample and being portable. There is a growing interest on the development of bioseparation techniques applicable at microscale. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is among the most used microscale techniques. DEP is the movement of particles as result of polarization effects due to nonuniform electric fields. DEP is a fast response method, with enough selectivity for the manipulation and separation of bioparticles such as microorganisms and macromolecules (proteins and DNA). Due to the importance of proteins in biotechnological and pharmaceutical processes, this article presents an analysis of the advances in the area of separation, concentration and purification processes of proteins, employing the technique of dielectrophoresis at microscale. The findings of important research groups around the world are included in the use of this microscale technique for protein manipulation. Important research groups were strategically selected with the objective of providing the reader with an overview on the state of the art on the utilization of dielectrophoresis for the manipulation and concentration of protein in microdevices.

Keywords : proteins; dielectrophoresis; microscale; microsystems; microdevices; bioseparations.

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