This invention relates to devices and methods for performing active, multi-step
molecular and biological sample preparation and diagnostic analyses employing immunochemical
techniques. It relates generally to bioparticle separation, bioparticle enrichment,
and electric field-mediated immunochemical detection on active electronic matrix
devices utilizing AC and DC electric fields. More specifically, the invention relates
to devices and methods for sample preparation/manipulation, immunoimmobilization,
and immunoassays, all of which can be conducted on one or more active electronic
chip devices within a single system. These manipulations are useful in a variety
of applications, including, for example, detection of pathogenic bacteria and biological
warfare agents, point-of-care diagnostics, food or medical product quality control
assays, and other biological assays.
