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Contact details

Qualifications

B.Sc (Hons), Chemical Science, Dublin Institute of Technology, 2005

Project Summary

I am currently undertaking a PhD in the Centre for BioAnalytical Sciences, Dublin City University. The current project is part of the separations team, being one of five linked projects run in conjunction with Dublin City University, Bristol-Myers Squibb, National University of Ireland, Galway and Industrial Development Agency Ireland.

My research interests include the development of rapid and quantitative methods of analysis for application in the analysis of multi-component complex mixtures associated with biopharmaceutical processes.

For that purpose, capillary electrophoresis (CE) will be used as the main technique due to its simplicity and speed of analysis. Separation in CE is obtained by differential migration of solutes in an electric field. CE offers high efficiency, short analysis times and minimal sample requirements (1-50nl). In addition, CE requires simple instrumentation, the possibility of on-capillary detection (e.g. UV-vis and conductometric) and the potential for quantitative analysis and automation. Compared with liquid chromatography CE offers simpler method development and results in less organic waste.

In the future, microfluidic devices and microchip electrophoresis will be developed.

Research collaborators within CBAS' research group include:

Dr. Donal Leech, National University of Ireland, Galway,
Dr. Brett Paull, Dublin City University,
Dr. Sue M. Lunte, University of Kansas.

Significantly the use Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detection (C⁴D) will be used as the on-column detection mode for these applications. Conductimetric detection successfully measures the differences in the conductivity of the electrolyte solution compared with that of the analyte zones. As there is no direct contact with the electrophoresis buffer, the background noise if greatly reduced, therefore increasing sensitivity.

The TraceDec contactless conductivity detector is based on two metal electrodes which are placed around the separation capillary, which can consist of any non-conducting material. After an AC voltage is applied to the actuator electrode the current passes through the capillary wall, the detection gap between the electrodes inside the capillary, and back to the pick-up electrode. The signal is then further amplified and processed.

The Detector sensor head is quite small and fits snugly around the silica capillary once it is inserted. This will allow the sensor head to remain in a fixed position. A recent seminar hosted by National Instruments^TM highlighted the posibility of using National Instruments^TM cards and Labview^TM software for quantitative analysis of obtained peaks, which is something that may be investigeted further in the future.

This method of detection will be used in the analysis of metal ions, amino acids and more complex sample matrices. Once these separations have been developed they can be applied to chip electrophoresis with a view to performing high speed separations.

Here we can see the migration order of 3 amino acids at pH~6.1.

To see an example of early sample results click here.

Future work may involve optimisation of various parameters including injection methods, buffer types and corresponding pH values and the use of other forms of detection.

Publications

Further Information

Awards

Winner of "Best food safety related project in all Irish third level colleges", awarded by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Click here for award details.