
University of Minnesota researchers developed a new microfluidic chip with broad applications for detecting viruses, pathogens, bacteria and other biomarkers in liquid samples.
Credit: Laboratory of Nanostructures and Biosensing, University of Minnesota
A University of Minnesota research team has developed a new microfluidic chip for diagnosing diseases that uses a minimal number of components and can be powered wirelessly by a smartphone. The innovation opens the door for faster and more affordable at-home medical testing.
Microfluidics involves the study and manipulation of liquids at a very small scale. One of the most popular applications in the field is developing “lab-on-a-chip” technology, or the ability to create devices that can diagnose diseases from a very small biological sample, blood or urine, for example.
The research is published in Nature Communications, a peer-reviewed, open access, scientific journal published by Nature Research. Researchers are also working to commercialize the technology.
Scientists already have portable devices for diagnosing some conditions — rapid COVID-19 antigen tests, for one. However, a big roadblock to engineering more sophisticated diagnostic chips that could, for example, identify the specific strain of COVID-19 or measure biomarkers like glucose or cholesterol, is the fact that they need so many moving parts.
Chips like these would require materials to seal the liquid inside, pumps and tubing to manipulate the liquid and wires to activate those pumps — all materials difficult to scale down to the micro level. The University of Minnesota team was able to create a microfluidic device that functions without all of those bulky components.
“It’s not an exaggeration that a state-of-the-art, microfluidic lab-on-a-chip system is very labor intensive to put together,” said Sang-Hyun Oh, an electrical and computer engineering professor and senior author of the study. “Our thought was, can we just get rid of the cover material, wires and pumps altogether and make it simple?”
Many lab-on-a-chip technologies work by moving liquid droplets across a microchip to detect the virus pathogens or bacteria inside the sample. The researchers’ solution was inspired by a peculiar real-world phenomenon with which wine drinkers will be familiar — the “legs,” or long droplets that form inside a wine bottle due to surface tension caused by the evaporation of alcohol.
Using a technique pioneered by Oh’s lab, the researchers placed tiny electrodes very close together on a 2 cm by 2 cm chip, which generate strong electric fields that pull droplets across the chip and create a similar “leg” of liquid to detect the molecules within.
Because the electrodes are placed so closely together, with only 10 nanometers of space between, the resulting electric field is so strong that the chip needs less than a volt of electricity to function. This incredibly low voltage requirement allowed the researchers to activate the chip using near-field communication signals from a smartphone, the same technology used for contactless payment in stores.
This is the first time researchers have been able to use a smartphone to wirelessly activate narrow channels without microfluidic structures, paving the way for cheaper, more accessible at-home diagnostic devices.
“This is a very exciting, new concept,” said Christopher Ertsgaard, lead author of the study and a recent University alumnus. “During this pandemic, I think everyone has realized the importance of at-home, rapid, point-of-care diagnostics. And there are technologies available, but we need faster and more sensitive techniques. With scaling and high-density manufacturing, we can bring these sophisticated technologies to at-home diagnostics at a more affordable cost.”
Oh’s lab is working with Minnesota startup company GRIP Molecular Technologies, which manufactures at-home diagnostic devices, to commercialize the microchip platform. The chip is designed to have broad applications for detecting viruses, pathogens, bacteria and other biomarkers in liquid samples.
“To be commercially successful, in-home diagnostics must be low-cost and easy-to-use,” said Bruce Batten, founder and president of GRIP Molecular Technologies. “Low voltage fluid movement, such as what Professor Oh’s team has achieved, enables us to meet both of those requirements. GRIP has had the good fortune to collaborate with the University of Minnesota on the development of our technology platform. Linking basic and translational research is crucial to developing a pipeline of innovative, transformational products.”
Original Article: Researchers develop smartphone-powered microchip for at-home medical diagnostic testing
More from: University of Minnesota
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip
- Made-to-order diagnostic tests may be on the horizon: Researchers invent lab on a chip that can be 3D-printed in minutes
McGill University researchers have made a breakthrough in diagnostic technology, inventing a "lab on a chip" that can be 3D-printed in just 30 minutes. The chip has the potential to make on-the-spot ...
- Miniature organs on chips could revolutionize health-care research
In our lab, our primary focus is on incorporating a functional ... By integrating these blood vessel models into microfluidic chips and supplying them with blood, immune cells or drugs, we are paving ...
- Breakthrough ‘Lab on a Chip’ Genetic Test Device Detects Viruses with Unprecedented Accuracy in Just Three Minutes
A virus diagnosis device that gives lab-quality results within just three minutes has been invented by engineers at the University of Bath, who describe it as the ‘world’s fastest Covid test’.The prot ...
- Novel Microfluidic Method Optimizes Stem Cell Extraction for Advanced Cell Therapies
Traditional bone marrow aspirate (BMA) stem cell extraction methods are complex, time-consuming, and yield poor results due to antiquated centrifugation techniques.
- Lab-on-a-chip for a low-carbon future
‘The field of lab-on-a-chip needs to meet important challenges around our global targets in sustainability and net zero,’ said Professor Jonathan Cooper, Wolfson Chair of bioengineering at the ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip
[google_news title=”” keyword=”microfluidic lab-on-a-chip” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
At home medical testing
- Can the First FDA-Approved At-Home Test for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Help Tackle the Epidemic?
LGBTQ sexual health advocates have objected to the FDA’s proposed policy that would require companies offering at-home medical tests, including for STIs, to obtain regulatory approval. One concern is ...
- Will first FDA-approved at-home test for gonorrhea, chlamydia ease the epidemic?
A consortium of LGBTQ sexual health advocates has objected to a recent FDA policy proposal that, if enacted, would require the companies already offering at-home medical tests, including for STIs ...
- Will first FDA-approved at-home test for gonorrhea, chlamydia ease the epidemic?
The FDA's first-ever approval of an at-home test for chlamydia and gonorrhea could help get the skyrocketing STI epidemic under control in the U.S.
- Some worry that the first FDA-approved at-home test for STIs could make things worse
The FDA's first-ever approval of an at-home test for chlamydia and gonorrhea could help get the skyrocketing STI epidemic under control in the U.S.
- You Can Now Test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea With an At-Home Kit
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first at-home test for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Here's what you need to know about how the test works, how much it costs, and where to get it.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
At home medical testing
[google_news title=”” keyword=”at home medical testing” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]