Researchers have developed a new magnetic engineering technique that could simplify and improve the manipulation of cells and bio-carriers. This innovation opens the possibility of creating portable, cost-effective systems for cell analysis, transforming medical diagnostics and lab-on-chip technologies.
Traditional methods for sorting and manipulating cells rely on bulky and expensive electromagnetic systems, which limit their use in portable devices. To address this issue, the scientists at South Korea’s Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) designed a micromagnet with a tiny notch using advanced lithography techniques. This unique design enables precise and efficient cell manipulation within a compact, low-cost setup.
The key innovation is the nanoscale notch, which creates localized changes in the magnetic field. By carefully controlling the configuration of the notch, as well as the strength and frequency of the magnetic field, researchers can move and sort cells with exceptional precision. This enables a variety of manipulations, such as trapping, separating, and sorting multiple types of cells or particles simultaneously—all within a portable system.
"This technology could transform global healthcare," said the researchers. "It can isolate specific cells, such as circulating tumor cells, with extreme precision and efficiency. It’s accessible even in low-resource environments because it’s faster, more affordable, and easier to scale than traditional methods. The potential applications range from stem cell research to early cancer diagnosis and customized treatments."
The researchers plan to integrate their device with permanent magnet systems, particularly the Halbach array, to enhance its compactness and efficiency. A Halbach array is an arrangement of permanent magnets that amplifies the magnetic field on one side while canceling it on the other. This effect is achieved by arranging the magnets in a spatially rotating magnetization pattern, allowing for a one-sided magnetic field.
The Halbach array's ability to focus magnetic fields can help make the device smaller while maintaining or improving its performance. This integration could enable precise control over individual cells, revolutionizing lab-on-chip systems and point-of-care testing. These innovations could provide the healthcare industry with rapid and accessible single-cell analysis and diagnostics tools, delivering laboratory-level accuracy to remote or underfunded areas.
Caption
Overview of the portable system for cell manipulation. a) The cell-on-chip platform allows for selective sorting and trapping of cells using a nanoscale-notched micromagnet; b) Schematic of the fabrication process, combining UV optical lithography and thermal scanning probe lithography to create the micromagnet and nanoscale notches; c) SEM image showcasing the fabricated notched micromagnet in detail.
