New separation method developed by RIT researchers enhances accuracy and speed of lab-on-chip diagnostic devices

Rochester, New York – A new technique for separating microorganisms developed by researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) could significantly improve how diseases like cancer and antibiotic-resistant infections are diagnosed, paving the way for faster, more accessible medical testing using lab-on-chip devices.

The breakthrough, led by Alaleh Vaghef-Koodehi, a doctoral student at RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering, focuses on enhancing insulator-based electrokinetic systems—devices that use electric fields to manipulate and separate biological particles such as cells and bacteria. Unlike traditional lab equipment, these micro-scale tools are portable and can test multiple samples simultaneously, offering a promising diagnostic solution in both advanced hospitals and remote clinics.

“We hope lab-on-chip devices will be as common as things like pregnancy tests,” said Vaghef-Koodehi. “We are still in early stages in developing this important technology, but these separation techniques are already showing promise, especially in cases where it is critical to assess the fragile components first.”

Lab-on-chip devices have been in development for years, but advances in cell separation remain one of the biggest challenges. What sets Vaghef-Koodehi’s work apart is the method’s ability to pick up tiny differences in cell size, shape, and electrical surface charge—attributes that help distinguish between healthy and diseased cells. The technique enables quicker identification of cells affected by infections or mutations, which is especially critical in emergencies or in areas with limited lab facilities.

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The research was conducted in collaboration with RIT professor Blanca Lapizco-Encinas, director of the university’s Microscale BioSeparations Laboratory and a well-respected expert in electrokinetic processes. Together, the pair have been publishing a series of scientific papers aimed at refining lab-on-chip technologies. One of their recent publications, titled “Dielectrophoresis in Carcinoma Diagnosis: Recent Developments and Applications,” appeared in the scientific journal Electrophoresis.

“Alaleh was one of the first to demonstrate and validate the use of specific, varied voltages to separate complex samples using nonlinear electrophoresis,” said Lapizco-Encinas. “Traditional cell culturing is effective, but takes a long time, sometimes 24–36 hours. It means a patient may not have immediate treatment because you are still testing. The process developed by Alaleh enables faster and more reliable cell differentiation by leveraging significant changes in the electrical properties of biomarkers.”

The innovation doesn’t just speed up testing—it improves accuracy too. By exploiting how individual bio-particles respond to electric fields based on their structural and electrical differences, researchers can create detailed profiles of microorganisms. This is particularly valuable for diagnosing hard-to-identify illnesses that require rapid medical responses.

These types of electrokinetic separation processes are not widely studied, but that is changing. The recent research out of RIT shows strong potential to bring this niche technology into mainstream diagnostic use. Vaghef-Koodehi’s work already earned her the 2023 Blue Fingers Student Award from the American Electrophoresis Society, a national recognition given to top student researchers in the field.

Although still in its developmental stage, this work brings the dream of low-cost, high-efficiency diagnostic tools a step closer to reality. The smaller, more adaptable format of lab-on-chip devices could make them especially useful in countries or communities with limited access to full-scale laboratories or hospitals.

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“I want to help people especially in countries where people may not have direct access to hospitals,” said Vaghef-Koodehi. “By developing these systems and devices life will be easier for many people.”

With her doctoral dissertation scheduled for defense this summer, Vaghef-Koodehi is already thinking ahead. Her goal is to stay in research and continue designing technologies that could bring healthcare to more people around the world, particularly in underserved areas where timely diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death.

As new diseases emerge and drug-resistant infections become a greater global concern, the ability to quickly and accurately sort through biological samples will become even more critical. Thanks to work from innovators like Vaghef-Koodehi and Lapizco-Encinas, the next generation of diagnostics may be smaller, smarter, and more accessible than ever before.

And while the technology may still be evolving, its real-world impact is already beginning to take shape—one separated cell at a time.