Magnetic Control of Micro-Magnetic Beads With Attached Enzymes And Catalyst

The development of magnetic beads in recent years has allowed for manipulation and transport of bio molecules which are attached to the magnetic beads. By attaching enzymes to the magnetic micro beads, they can be used in solution as a bioreactor, with the mixing and agitation controlled by electromagnets. A method was developed using video footage and ImageJ to capture and analyze the movement of micro magnetic beads in solution. The method was used to analyze the motion of micro magnetic beads in solution developing steady state mixing. Once steady state mixing has been achieved, this method was used to examine the properties of micro magnetic beads in solution by controlling the strength of the electromagnets, frequency of mixing, and concentration of the micro magnetic bead solution. Preliminary results suggest favorable mixing with stronger magnetic fields and higher frequency of agitation