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The DiaCHIP - A Versatile Detection System

Motivation

Detecting Antigen-Antibody Interactions

The DiaCHIP is an innovative tool to screen for a broad range of antibodies present in serum.
Antibodies can be an indicator for an immune response towards an infection or a successful vaccination.
Antibodies also play a role in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases.
Especially the ability to differentiate between life threatening diseases and a mild infection within a short time bears the potential to save lives.

Improving Current Diagnostics

Spotting diseases by detecting correspondent antibodies in a patient's serum is an established method in modern diagnostics. The DiaCHIP makes it possible to screen for multiple specific antibodies simply using a drop of blood.

The Concept

The key feature of the DiaCHIP concept is the combination of on-demand protein synthesis and a novel method for label-free detection packed into one device. The idea is to overcome challenges commonly found in protein array production and preservation. In addition, results can be obtained in a time- and cost-efficient manner; with a device simple enough to be rebuilt by future iGEM teams.

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  Building our own device

  The device originally used, in collaboration with AG Roth, is a expensive machine based on rather simple physics. Therefore, we decided to build our own apparatus in a cost-efficient manner. We were able to produce reliable results with it and provide a construction plan [LINK]. This plan will make it possible for future iGEM generations to built and use their own label-free protein array analysis tool.

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  Communicating science

  Diagnosing diseases fast and reliable is not only an issue among medical staff, it is also subject to public interest. This has lead us to ask for people's opinions regarding the DiaCHIP. Although the method is based on synthetic biology, which is a problematic definition for the broad public according to a survey initiated by the Leopoldina (National academy of science), we received lots of positive feedback.

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  Modeling cellfree expression

  In order to optimize the DiaCHIP for future applications, we optimized the process of cell-free expression and diffusion over time. Making use of xxx parameters and xxx ordinary differential equations, we computed the size of the resulting antigen spots and identified the factors limiting cell-free expression in the DiaCHIP.

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  Measuring our own blood

  One of the most promising results came from the detection of anti-tetanus antibodies in human blood serum. The DiaCHIP analysis made it possible for us to distinguish serum samples from an individual before and after vaccination. Samples taken three weeks after vaccination produced positive signals, compared to negative results prior to antigen exposure.

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