Fig. 3: Characterisation of DEP chip for pathogen enrichment and capture efficiency. | Nature Communications

Fig. 3: Characterisation of DEP chip for pathogen enrichment and capture efficiency.

From: Rapid culture-free diagnosis of clinical pathogens via integrated microfluidic-Raman micro-spectroscopy

Fig. 3: Characterisation of DEP chip for pathogen enrichment and capture efficiency.The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.

a Simulation showing the importance of low conductivity for positive dielectrophoresis (pDEP). b Simulation to optimise electrode geometry and channel height to achieve a high trapping force. c The relationship between sample and water flow rates for effective desalting of the sample (n = 3). d The effect of sample flow rates on capture efficiency. AC voltage was fixed at 20 V. e Comparative capture efficiency across pathogen groups. Capture efficiency measured for 10 different species representing Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and Candida species. Dashed line indicates 90% efficiency threshold. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA, F(9, 20) = 4.664, p = 0.0020, R² = 0.6773, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test. Abbreviations: Eco, E. coli; Kae, Klebsiella aerogenes; Kox, Klebsiella oxytoca; Kpn, Klebsiella pneumoniae; Efa, Enterococcus faecalis; Efm, Enterococcus faecium; Sca, Staphylococcus capitis; CaAl, Candida albicans; CaGl, Candida glabrata; CaPa, Candida parapsilosis. d, e Data represent mean ± SD from three independent experiments. Source data for (c), (d) and (e) are provided as a Source Data file.

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