Microfluidic cartridge for low-cell-count ChIP-seq profiling
This technology is a miniaturized lab-on-a-chip system that performs chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), a technique scientists use to study how proteins interact with DNA inside cells. The device uses a tiny fluid chamber packed with magnetic beads that grab specific protein-DNA complexes, while computer-controlled valves oscillate the fluid back and forth to wash away unwanted material far more effectively than conventional methods. The result is high-quality genetic data from far fewer cells than traditional lab protocols require, making the process faster, cheaper, and accessible for experiments where sample material is scarce — such as rare biopsies or single-cell studies.
What you could build
A benchtop microfluidic cartridge-and-reader instrument for genomics research labs performing epigenetic profiling, sold to academic research institutions, pharmaceutical R&D departments, and biotech companies running ChIP-seq workflows with limited cell material.
Who in Virginia should care
Northern Virginia and Richmond-area biotech and genomics companies, NIH-adjacent contract research organizations, or university medical centers conducting epigenetics research would be natural licensees or collaborators.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Chang Lu, Zhenning Cao
- Granted
- August 15, 2017
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 9732377
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.