Working with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Bioident Technologies Inc. is developing a portable multi-parameter detector in the form of a lab-on-a-chip system, to permit cost-effective point-of-use applications. The work is being done under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract as part of the “Printed Diagnostic Arrays” project. The goal is to demonstrate the capabilities of biosensors with integrated printed optoelectronics.
To accomplish its goal, the project will modify the NRL’s original biosensor system in two major ways. First, the fluorescence assays used by the NRL will be replaced with chemiluminescence assays. This will eliminate the need for expensive laser excitation components. Second, the bulky readout unit (a CCD camera and lens system) will be replaced with organic photodiodes printed directly beneath the receptor antibodies in the micro-array.
“Our array biosensor offers the functionality of a laboratory and yet is integrated into a box weighing less than 6 kg (13 lbs.),” said Frances Ligler, NRL’s project leader. “However, because we are aiming for an even more compact form, we need an alternative to the bulky optical components, such as lasers and CCD cameras. The promising printed optoelectronics approach from Bioident is very attractive to us, and we look forward to an exciting partnership.”
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