Abstract
Technology advances have driven a genomics revolution with sweeping impact on our understanding of life processes. Nevertheless, the arguably more important “proteomics revolution” remains unrealized. Proteins are complex; meaning that multiple physicochemical properties must be assayed. Consequently, proteomic studies are resource intensive and ‘data limited’. To drive a bold transformation of biomedicine, engineering innovation in proteomics instrumentation is needed. While microfluidic technology has advanced separations science, progress lags in the multi-stage separations that are a hallmark of proteomics. This talk will summarize new microengineering design strategies for critical multi-stage protein assays. Specifically, I will introduce our tunable photopatterned materials for switchable function, microfluidic architectures for seamless integration of discrete stages, and multiplexed readouts for quantitation. In a translational example, I will detail assay and design advances from our two highly integrated Western blotting platforms. Focus will center on next-generation confirmatory HIV diagnostics. In a life sciences example, I will highlight our recent contributions to protein isoform measurements, here for new prognostic cancer biomarkers and biospecimen repository monitoring. Performance and operational gains will be discussed, including quantitation capability, total assay automation, integration of sample preparation, and workflows that require minutes not days. Ultimately, we aim to infuse engineering advances into the biological and biomedical sciences– collaboration that promises to address a range of unmet scientific, biomedical, & societal needs.