Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for concentrating analyte from large sample solutions using a combination of magnetic microparticles on a digital microfluidic device using virtual channels. Virtual channels are produced by applying voltages to a series of driving electrodes of the DMF that connect a reservoir of solution situated just outside of the DMF device to a fluid exit location. The magnetic microparticles are first exposed to a liquid sample containing the analyte whereupon analytes are bound by analyte specific receptors on the microparticles. By flowing these solutions of magnetic particles through virtual channels in DMF device, large volumes can be processed, regardless of the total capacity of the DMF. Engaging a magnet underneath the DMF device while a suspension of magnetic microparticles is flowed through the virtual channel causes the microparticles to become immobilized and the supernatant solution is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for concentrating analyte from large sample solutions using a combination of magnetic microparticles on a digital microfluidic device using virtual channels. Virtual channels are produced by applying voltages to a series of driving electrodes of the DMF that connect a reservoir of solution situated just outside of the DMF device to a fluid exit location. The magnetic microparticles are first exposed to a liquid sample containing the analyte whereupon analytes are bound by analyte specific receptors on the microparticles. By flowing these solutions of magnetic particles through virtual channels in DMF device, large volumes can be processed, regardless of the total capacity of the DMF. Engaging a magnet underneath the DMF device while a suspension of magnetic microparticles is flowed through the virtual channel causes the microparticles to become immobilized and the the supernatant solution is removed.