We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Lab-on-a-Chip Promises Biochemical Diagnostics

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 Mar 2013
Lab-on-a-chip technologies are attractive as they require fewer reagents, have lower detection limits, allow for parallel analyses, and can have a smaller footprint.

Miniaturized laboratory-on-chip systems promise rapid, sensitive, and multiplexed detection of biological samples for medical diagnostics, and high-throughput screening.

Scientists at the University of Illinois (Urbana, IL USA) used microfabrication techniques and incorporated a unique design of transistor-based heating, for further advancing the use of silicon transistor and electronics into chemistry and biology for point-of-care diagnostics.

The approach performs localized heating of individual subnanoliter droplets that can allow for new applications that require parallel, time-and space-multiplex reactions on a single integrated circuit. More...
Within miniaturized laboratory-on-chips, static and dynamic droplets of fluids in different immiscible media have been used as individual vessels to perform biochemical reactions and confine the products.

By using microfabrication techniques and incorporating the unique design of transistor-based heating with individual reaction volumes, “laboratory-on-a-chip” technologies can be scaled down to “laboratory-on-a-transistor” technologies as sensor/heater hybrids that could be used for point-of-care diagnostics.

Rashid Bashir, PhD, a professor at the University of Illinois said, “We have demonstrated that single stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe molecules can be placed on heaters in solution, dried, and then rehydrated by ssDNA target molecules in droplets for hybridization and detection. This platform enables many applications in droplets including hybridization of low copy number DNA molecules, lysing of single cells, interrogation of ligand-receptor interactions, and rapid temperature cycling for amplification of DNA molecules. Notably, our miniaturized heater could also function as dual heater/sensor elements, as these silicon-on-insulator nanowire or nanoribbon structures have been used to detect DNA, proteins, pH, and pyrophosphates.”

The authors concluded that the technique they described to heat subnanoliter droplets-in-air for visualization of DNA denaturation with resolution down to single base mismatches has application to current DNA microarray technologies. The study was published on February 11, 2013, in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America (PNAS).

Related Links:

University of Illinois



Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Specimen Radiography System
TrueView 200 Pro
New
Sperm Quality Analyis Kit
QwikCheck Beads Precision and Linearity Kit
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The steps involved in the electric field-induced capture and release (EFIRM) assay (Photo courtesy of UCLA School of Dentistry)

Saliva-Based Cancer Detection Technology Eliminates Need for Complex Sample Preparation

Early detection of cancer and other serious diseases is crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes, yet current diagnostic methods often involve invasive procedures and complex sample preparation.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The 3D paper-based analytical device has shown high clinical accuracy for adult-onset immunodeficiency (Photo courtesy of National Taiwan University)

Paper-Based Device Accurately Detects Immune Defects in 10 Minutes

Patients with hidden immune defects are especially vulnerable to severe and persistent infections, often due to autoantibodies that block interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a key molecule in immune defense.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The groundbreaking salmonella antimicrobial resistance prediction platform has demonstrated 95% accuracy (Photo courtesy of Yujie You et al., DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2025.01.013)

New Platform Leverages AI and Quantum Computing to Predict Salmonella Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella strains are a growing public health concern due to the overuse of antimicrobials and the rise of genetic mutations. Accurate prediction of resistance is crucial for effective... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The Check4 gene-detection platform (Photo courtesy of IdentifySensors)

Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells

A major challenge in healthcare is the early and affordable detection of serious diseases such as cancer. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of identifying specific genetic markers... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.