Electric field assisted intracellular sample extraction
Innovative technology utilizing electric fields to extract intracellular materials from pathogens in food products, preserving molecular integrity. Offers a miniaturized, scalable solution for food safety and biochemical analysis.
Overview
Electric field assisted intracellular sample extraction offers a groundbreaking method for releasing intracellular materials from pathogens present in complex food products. This technique leverages electric fields to efficiently extract proteins, DNA, RNA, and metabolites while preserving the molecular integrity of the samples. Designed to minimize trauma and alteration, this method ensures the samples are representative of their original biological context, making it highly valuable for food safety and biochemical analysis.
Technical specifications
- Electric field technology: Utilizes electroporation techniques from medical device expertise to safely extract intracellular contents.
- Scalability: Can be miniaturized to fit within standard sample preparation tubes, using a "pipet" like interface for ease of use.
- Applications: Currently used in the food industry for processing and sterilizing, with potential expansion into various biochemical and food safety applications.
- Optimization: Mathematical models and experimental validation are employed to optimize electric field parameters for specific conditions.
- Prototype development: A prototype device is under development to integrate this technology into existing laboratory workflows.
Technology readiness level
The technology is at TRL 4, indicating that the component and/or breadboard validation is happening in a laboratory environment. The next steps involve further testing in relevant environments, especially focusing on food samples by spiking them with known pathogen levels to evaluate extraction efficiency.
About University of Massachusetts, Amherst
UMass Amherst is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, with a large student body and a robust research enterprise. Industry engagement centers on company access to an integrated network of shared core facilities and co-located labs, with options for on‑site residency in an adjacent research and technology park. A dedicated industry partnerships team streamlines sponsored research, material transfer, and confidentiality agreements and connects partners to faculty expertise, prototyping, and pilot‑scale testing. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A technology transfer office advises on IP strategy, manages licensing, and supports new venture formation.
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