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Project overview: The DiaCHIP

The DiaCHIP is a new tool to simultaneously detect antibodies for different diseases in blood sera. Central to our project idea is the combination of antigen synthesis directly in the diagnostic device with a new and label-free detection system so simple that it can easily be rebuild by future iGEM teams.

Preparing the DiaCHIP

As the DiaCHIP relies on antibody-antigen interaction the antigens first have to be synthesized and immobilized in the device. And as the whole device is a microfluidic system, it was most convenient to do this directly in the flow-chamber, where detection will finally happen. The flow-chamber consists of two surfaces separated by a gap that can be flushed with liquids. On the upper surface DNA-molecules, providing the information for the antigens, are attached and can be transcribed and translated into protein when a cell-free expression mix is flushed through the gap. Proteins then diffuse downwards until reaching the second surface that specifically captures the proteins encoded by the immobilized DNA. After several washing steps to remove remaining expression-mix the flow-chamber is coated with antigens and ready for detection.

Measuring

With the iRIf system it is possible to record small changes in layer thickness. The binding of an antibody from the blood serum flushed through the chamber increases the thickness of the lower surface so that interaction events can be measured label-free and in real-time.

But we didn't stop at thinking about the device: We detected antibodies in our own blood!

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