Columbia Technology Ventures

Microfluidic device for time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy

This technology is a microfluidic device that enables a reaction sample to flow in a co-flowing concentric buffer, resulting in a narrow distribution of reaction times for time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy (TR cryo-EM).

Unmet Need: A method for temporally accurate reaction time cryo-EM

Current methods to observe extremely fast molecular reaction times include time-resolved cryo-EM. In a cryo-EM setup, sample preparation devices have been developed using microfluidic channels that are able to rapidly mix reaction components under continuous flow. However, these channels have a parabolic velocity profile, which results in dispersed reaction time ranges in time-resolved cryo-EM sample preparation, reducing the temporal accuracy of the TR method.

The Technology: Microfluidic device for enhancing temporal accuracy of time-resolved cryo-EM

This microfluidic device allows for the reaction elements to flow within a co-flowing concentric buffer, thereby sharpening the distribution of the reaction times in the reaction channel prior to micro-spraying and plunging. The concentric buffer absorbs the steepest portion of the parabolic velocity profile within the microfluidic reaction channel. This technology has been validated with calculations and simulations, and the device is currently being 3D printed for testing.

Applications:

  • Time-resolved cryo-EM
  • Flow cytometry
  • Lab-on-chip systems
  • Microfluidic applications requiring hydrodynamic focusing

Advantages:

  • Enables achievement of a narrow distribution of reaction times in microfluidic reaction channel
  • Enables control of the velocity profile in the center of the channel through adjusting flowrate ratio of buffer to mixture
  • Allows precise temperature control
  • Prevents protein adsorption on interior reaction channel wall

Lead Inventor:

Joachim Frank, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

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