An adaptive fluidic
and motion control MetaModule™ from Parker Life Sciences ensures the
accurate and reproducible formation and deposition of 200-nL volumes for
the automated protein-profiling system, digital ProteomeChip™ (dPC),
from Protein Forest, Inc.
Introduction
The protein-profiling market is currently dominated by 2-dimensional
gel electrophoresis (2D GE), a technology hampered by low throughput and
lack of reproducibility and resolution. Protein Forest, a life science
products company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, overcame these
problems by developing a unique technology, digital ProteomeChip™
(dPC), which accurately resolves proteins from cells, sera, and other
complex mixtures. The automated profiling system combines a dPC used for
each analysis, a benchtop instrument for running each 1D and 2D chip, and
PC software for analyzing images into a highly accurate solution that
helps researchers ensure reproducibility and avoid interpretation errors.
Protein Forest developed its chip technology for advanced protein
separation, but also needed to synchronize motion control and fluidics
using integrated software to dispense buffer polymers onto every dPC.
Realizing there were no resources in-house to effectively develop a
complex motion and fluidics solution, Protein Forest turned to Parker Life
Sciences, a business unit within Parker Hannifin Corporation, to meet its
engineering needs.
Results
Figure 1: Sample Formation (200 nL)
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The systems engineering team developed a motion control and fluidics
platform, the Parker MetaModule™, for precise droplet formation and
deposition onto the dPC. Within five weeks, a complex solution was
designed, demonstrating the first system to synchronize an X-Y-Z motion
system and a syringe pump, both equipped with drivers, controllers, and
cabling. A fully featured, software-programming language for controlling
and synchronizing the motion and fluidics platform was also provided. In
order to achieve the requirements to accurately and precisely create and
dispense a 200-nL volume onto a glass substrate, Parker used its in-house
testing services to conduct feasibility studies and to perform final
system characterization.
Figure 2: Sample Deposition onto a
Glass Substrate
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The dPC is available in both small and large sizes with varying dimensions
for holes, spacing, and volume. Taking into account the different chip
sizes and needle dimensions, Parker designed the system and performed
rigorous testing using drop formation, to compare diameter measurements
and estimate volumes, ensuring high reproducibility (Figures 1 & 2).
Qualifying this application ensured that the system would easily integrate
with the dPC and allowed Protein Forest to focus on finalizing its own
proprietary technology.
Conclusions
By taking advantage of Parker's engineering and scientific resources
that combined system integration with rapid prototyping and application
support services, Protein Forest saved time and money, greatly reducing
overall project risks. This approach also allowed Protein Forest to
maintain its resources on its core expertise.
