A micromagnetic actuator for biomolecule manipulation

An efficient and low cost way to attract and mix magnetic beads is reported, in which microserpentines wires shape were used in combination with a permanent magnet to polarize and magnetically saturate beads. The research included the design, modelling and an empirical evaluation of a novel device for manipulation of paramagnetic beads. The results reported indicate that the performance of this device agrees with expectations from the modelling, and suggests that the device has significant potential for applications requiring manipulation of biomolecules within BioMEMS, such isolation and purification of nucleic acids and proteins.