Mechanical Engineering
Microfluidic Technology
The emerging “lab-on-a-chip” microfluidic technology has opened a new era in laboratory experiments by potentially bringing all functionalities of regular diagnosis to a small hand-held device. These microfluidic devices handle nano to pico liter volume of fluids and have enormous potential in the chemical, biological, and bio-analytical fields, such as DNA analysis and sequencing, protein separation and synthesis, drug delivery, etc. In the WSU Micro Scale Thermo Fluid (MSTF) group, Dr. Dutta and his colleagues are developing novel micro/nano fluidic components for “lab-on-a-chip” devices utilizing various polymeric materials. They are particularly focused on integrating various functionalities, such as power supply, optical detection, environmental sensing, etc., in a single micro device.
Dr. Dutta’s research interests include:
- Design, fabrication, and characterization of micro/nano-fluidic devices;
- Integration of complex functionalities in a single micro device;
- Development of detection systems to probe proteins and macromolecules;
- Testing of integrated devices utilizing nano liter volume of reagents/chemicals;
- Hybrid modeling and analysis of flow behavior in micro/nano-fluidic devices.
Since applications of most “lab-on-a-chip” devices far exceed the departmental boundary, one of the ongoing collaborative projects is the development of an integrated microfluidic chip for multi-stage high resolution iso-electric focusing (IEF). In this study, a complex functional microchip will be developed for sample loading, transportation, and separation where IEF can be staged by first focusing proteins in a narrow channel using broad-range ampholytes and then refocusing segments of that first channel into secondary channels that branch out from the first one. These inexpensive microdevices could be utilized in the separation of proteins and peptides with very high resolution. This project will impact the field of proteomics in several ways: (1) by moving IEF from gels to polymer chips, (2) by removing 2D-PAGE as a bottleneck and (3) by adapting the concept of staging to chip-scale fractionations.
In another collaborative work, this research group is developing a micro bioreactor on a chip to synthesize pheromones for insects. Pheromones are generally formed by reacting several (2 to 6) different chemical components in a prescribed ratio. Performance of pheromones depends on the quality of the synthesis, which in turn depends on the proper metering of individual components. Good quality pheromones require a very tiny supply of every ingredient (less than 1 microliter/min). The MSTF group is working on a bioreactor/micro synthesizer by precisely dispensing an exact amount of ingredients and by synthesizing them at the point of delivery.
This group is not only developing a multi-functional micro/nano-fluidic chip, but also working on the innovative detection system needed for these miniature devices. Since the typical component dimension of most microfluidic devices is 30 microns (wide) x 2 microns (thick), detection systems for these kind of devices are more challenging. For micron-size channel dimensions, the group is working on a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and ultra-violet (UV) detection system for fluorescently and nonfluorescently tagged proteins, respectively. On the other hand, for sub-micron size channels, they have been collaborating with Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) to develop an ultrasound based universal detection technology for any type of device material.
Contact Information
Prashanta Dutta, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Washington State University
PO Box 642920
Pullman, WA 99164-2920
Telephone: 509-335-7989
Fax: 509-335-4662
E-mail: dutta@mail.wsu.edu
Web: www.mstf.wsu.edu
Engineering
Genomics, Proteomics, and Informatics
Washington State University is committed to building on its existing strengths in genomics, proteomics, and informatics. The scientists highlighted here provide a sampling of both established and recently added WSU research programs in these areas. Each of these scientists and their many collaborators both at WSU and elsewhere are making important impacts in their respective areas. A recently developed strategic plan at Washington State University identifies biotechnology as a significant focus for research development, so the current strengths are priming the system for very rapid growth.
- Prashanta Dutta
- Cornelius (Neil) F. Ivory
- John H. Miller
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Dr. Prashanta Dutta received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and Texas A&M University, College Station, in 1997 and 2001, respectively. In fall 2001, he joined the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University as an assistant professor. Dr. Dutta has been working on electrokinetically driven microfluidic devices from the beginning of his doctoral work, and has authored articles in a number of peer-reviewed technical journals. He has established the WSU Micro Scale Thermo Fluid research group, and is actively associated with the University’s MEMS and biotechnology initiative. |
