Fluorescence based point-of-care molecular diagnostic systems are ubiquitous in healthcare. However, many tests require that the sample be sent to a reference laboratory and read by trained medical staff which can be expensive and result in delayed analysis. Portable systems have been developed, however, detecting multiple biomarkers requires a different disposable sensor customized for each biomarker, which can be expensive and cumbersome. Additional portable and disposable systems have been engineered but they also have drawbacks including increased size and cost. New approaches are needed to help make diagnostic testing in health care both more affordable and more accessible.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a fully integrated miniaturized optical biosensor that is designed to detect multiple biomarkers or pathogens in a sample at the point of use. This lab on a chip biosensor is designed to be both inexpensive to manufacture and disposable yet detects signals at diagnostically relevant levels. Diagnostic functionality, similar to a conventional fluorescence-based laboratory detection system, can be achieved in a low cost miniaturized disposable manner. This biosensor may help provide appropriate and prompt treatments and ultimately result in improved clinical outcomes.
This novel tool functions as a complete, yet miniaturized, fluorescence microscopy laboratory which provides high sensitivity multi-pathogen or multiple biomarker detection in a portable, low cost format.
Potential Applications
• Disposable point of care test for pathogens, biomarkers,
o Home care
o Emergency triage
o Military/battlefield care
o Environmental applications (e.g. testing water potability)
o Low resource areas (e.g. developing countries)
Benefits and advantages
• Inexpensive – pre-functionalized biosensor substrate costs are pennies per cm2
• Miniaturized and disposable
• Multiplexed
• Doesn’t require a reference laboratory for analysis
• Can be read by untrained personnel
• Laboratory accuracy and sensitivity
• Easy to use with quick results
For more information about the inventor(s) and their research, please see
Dr. Allee’s laboratory webpage