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What are we doing?

We are building a system that detects many different diseases simultaneously with just a few drops of blood - we’re calling this system “the DiaCHIP”. Our method ist cheap, fast and label-free! Tell me more!

How are we doing it?

We produce protein arrays from a DNA-microarray template using cell-free expression. The DNA codes for antigens from many different pathogens. We then run blood serum over the protein array and measure whether antibodies bind to the antigens. We can observe that with a label-free optical measurement called iRIf. Tell me more!

Why are we doing it?

Protein arrays are a powerful way to screen for diseases, but they are very cumbersome to produce, which makes them quite expensive. More important, they denature quickly and have to be handled very carefully. Our DiaCHIP produces fresh protein arrays right before every measurement - and our DNA array allows us to xerox as many protein arrays as we want! Tell me more!

Want to see how it works?

Take a look at this short video clip, which will give you a general overview of what our project is about.

Abstract

In modern medicine, fast detection and differentiation of diseases is a crucial and fundamental task. Typical ELISA-based assays are time-consuming and expensive. We propose an advanced procedure for the simultaneous detection of various diseases in a fast and inexpensive manner, the DiaCHIP. Our approach is based on the interaction of antibodies with their respective antigens. Different antigens are immobilized on a protein array generated by cell-free protein expression, using the corresponding DNA array as a template. Placed in a microfluidic chamber, the protein array is incubated with a patient’s blood sample. The interaction between an antibody in the sample and the corresponding immobilized antigen results in a local change of the optical thickness of the surface. This change can be detected using a label-free and real-time measurement technology called iRIf (imaging Reflectometric Interference)which is based on a laser detecting the interference of reflecting light from our chip. Offering simultaneous screening for several diseases, our DiaCHIP has strong potential to improve future diagnostics.

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