Magnetophoretic T-Cell Isolation Device
Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
The purpose of this study was to design a microfluidic device for magnetophoretic T-cell isolation. The device is low cost and incorporates magnetophoretic cell traps with laminar flow micro channels. The device was designed using Autodesk Fusion 360 software with constraints, so the design could be easily manipulated for simulation. The device was simulated in COMSOL’s software using the laminar flow module to evaluate flow characteristics, with specific attention to the velocity ratio between the main channel and particle trapping regions. Additionally, the design was tested in COMSOL with the magnetic field module to calculate the magnetophoretic force on the particles to optimize magnet geometry. COMSOL was also used to simulate the viscous drag force on the particles in the device. After the design phase, the team manufactured the device and tested its performance. Preliminary testing was conducted using magnetic and polystyrene beads to represent the target (T-cells) and non-target cells (white blood cells, platelets, etc.) respectively. The final testing phase included using cultured cell lines and whole blood samples, with the goal of improving access to efficient and scalable cell separation technologies.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dharmakeerthi Nawarathna
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
dnawarat@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
College/School Affiliation
Batten College of Engineering & Technology
Student Level Group
Undergraduate
Presentation Type
Poster
Magnetophoretic T-Cell Isolation Device
The purpose of this study was to design a microfluidic device for magnetophoretic T-cell isolation. The device is low cost and incorporates magnetophoretic cell traps with laminar flow micro channels. The device was designed using Autodesk Fusion 360 software with constraints, so the design could be easily manipulated for simulation. The device was simulated in COMSOL’s software using the laminar flow module to evaluate flow characteristics, with specific attention to the velocity ratio between the main channel and particle trapping regions. Additionally, the design was tested in COMSOL with the magnetic field module to calculate the magnetophoretic force on the particles to optimize magnet geometry. COMSOL was also used to simulate the viscous drag force on the particles in the device. After the design phase, the team manufactured the device and tested its performance. Preliminary testing was conducted using magnetic and polystyrene beads to represent the target (T-cells) and non-target cells (white blood cells, platelets, etc.) respectively. The final testing phase included using cultured cell lines and whole blood samples, with the goal of improving access to efficient and scalable cell separation technologies.