R+D CSIC

Multiplexed 'point-of-care' device for a quick simultaneous detection of biomarkers

CSIC scientists have developed a compact device for a rapid and simultaneous detection of several biomarkers in biological fluids. The design simplifies scalability and reduces production costs, which is especially important for the obtention of ‘point-of-care’ diagnostic devices. Industrial partners from the biomedical industry are being sought to collaborate through a patent licence agreement.

Many sensors currently used in biomedicine are based on electrochemical cells on a planar configuration. A drawback of this configuration is the limited space, which sometimes is not enough for the number of connexions. If the circuits required exceed the available flat surface, the complexity of manufacture increases and, in its turn, the cost of the device.

One way to get around the problem is to reduce the number of electric connections. This is what CSIC scientists have done at the Barcelona Institute of Microelectronics - National Microelectronics Center (IMB-CNM in its Spanish acronym). They have developed a compact analytical device aimed to the fast and simultaneous  detection of biomarkers in biological fluids.

The device has multiplexed connections, that is, it makes two or more signals to share a single channel. With shared connections, the space required is smaller, which allows an easy implementation in microfluidic devices on paper.

The general configuration combines in a single device an array of reusable electrochemical transducers (the main components of biosensors) and a paper microfluidic component. Both are easily aligned within a plastic cartridge, therefore allowing replacement of the paper component after each measurement. The design also includes the use of magnetic nanoparticles as a biomarkers for a pre-treatment of the sample.

The device has a multiplexed system: it makes two or more signals to share a single channel, therefore connections are less and the required space is smaller

The main advantages of the prototype developed are the possibility of simultaneous detection of biomarkers in blood, serum, urine, saliva, sputum, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples. It can be applied for the detection, for example, of bacterial and viral proteins, such as those produced by SARS-Cov-2 infection, antibodies and RNA, IgM and IgG cytokines (IL-6. IL-8).

It is a low-cost technology, which has high sensitivity, enables a rapid analysis and also minimizes residual material. It enables the production of compact and simple devices to detect various parameters, the number of which could be easily expanded without compromising the assay performance.

This technology is suitable for tests such as those performed with ELISA sensors and the so-called 'point-of-care' diagnostic devices, which offer an immediate result.

Contact:
Isabel Gavilanes-Pérez, PhD.
Deputy Vice-Presidency for Knowledge Transfer.
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Tel.: +34 – 93 594 77 00
Fax: +34 – 93 580 14 96
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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