Nucleic acid sample preparation

A method for isolating a nanoparticulate in a sample, the method comprising:

• a. applying the sample to a device, the device comprising an array of electrodes capable of establishing an AC electrokinetic field region;
• b. concentrating cells or other particulate material in the fluid in a first AC electrokinetic field region, wherein the conductivity of the fluid is 100 mS/m or greater;
• c. isolating the nanoparticulate in a second AC electrokinetic field region, wherein the second AC electrokinetic field is a second dielectrophoretic high field region;
• and
• d. flushing the concentrated cells and/or other particulate material from the first AC electrokinetic field region.

A method for isolating a nanoparticulate in a sample, the method comprising:

• a. applying the sample to a device, the device comprising an array of electrodes capable of establishing an AC electrokinetic field region;
• b. concentrating cells or other particulate material in the fluid in a first AC electrokinetic field region, wherein the conductivity of the fluid is 100 mS/m or greater;
• c. isolating the nanoparticulate in a second AC electrokinetic field region, wherein the second AC electrokinetic field is a second dielectrophoretic high field region;
• d. flushing the concentrated cells and/or other particulate material from the first AC electrokinetic field region;
• and
• e. eluting the bound nanoparticulate in the second dielectrophoretic high field region.