Electromechanical cell lysis using a portable audio device: enabling challenging sample preparation at the point-of-care

Lab Chip. 2015 May 7;15(9):1994-7. doi: 10.1039/c5lc00080g.

Abstract

Audio sources are ubiquitously available on portable electronic devices, including cell phones. Here we demonstrate lysis of Mycobacterium marinum and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria utilizing a portable audio device coupled with a simple and inexpensive electromagnetic coil. The resulting alternating magnetic field rotates a magnet in a tube with the sample and glass beads, lysing the cells and enabling sample preparation for these bacteria anywhere there is a cell phone, mp3 player, laptop, or other device with a headphone jack.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analytic Sample Preparation Methods / economics
  • Analytic Sample Preparation Methods / instrumentation*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • MP3-Player*
  • Mechanical Phenomena*
  • Mycobacterium marinum / cytology*
  • Mycobacterium marinum / isolation & purification
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis / cytology*
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis / isolation & purification

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial