Preclinical Validation of the Utility of BLZ-100 in Providing Fluorescence Contrast for Imaging Spontaneous Solid Tumors.

There is a need in surgical oncology for contrast agents that can enable real-time intraoperative visualization of solid tumors that can enable complete resections while sparing normal surrounding tissues. The Tumor Paint agent BLZ-100 is a peptide-fluorophore conjugate that can specifically bind solid tumors and fluoresce in the near-infrared range, minimizing light scatter and signal attenuation. In this study, we provide a preclinical proof of concept for use of this imaging contrast agent as administered before surgery to dogs with a variety of naturally occurring spontaneous tumors.

Turn-induced isotachophoretic focusing in microfluidic channels.

Multifunctional microfluidic platforms that use ITP for sample stacking require the use of serpentine channels. When ITP is carried out in serpentine passages, the sample band shows dramatically different behavior than that observed in conventional on-chip CE. The band skew, defined as the distance between the leading and trailing edge of the band, is reduced and the sample is focused on the outside wall of the turn.

On-chip coupling of isoelectric focusing and free solution electrophoresis for multidimensional separations.

We have developed an acrylic microfluidic device that sequentially couples liquid-phase isoelectric focusing (IEF) and free solution capillary electrophoresis (CE). Rapid separation (<1 min) and preconcentration (73x) of species were achieved in the initial IEF dimension. Using full-field fluorescence imaging, we observed nondispersive mobilization velocities on the order of 20 microm/s during characterization of the IEF step.