Diagnostic Biological Tests/Assays/Genomics/Pretomics

Latest Innovations
Microfluidic Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Device for Epigenomic Analysis Researchers from the University of Illinois have created a process for the epigenomic analysis of single cells. This process combines the uses of single cell... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have created a process for the epigenomic analysis of single cells. This process combines the uses of single cell microfluidics and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) for the analysis of DNA modifications in single cells.This technology has the potential to greatly decrease the number of cells needed from a biopsy to test for different cancers. It may also allow the study of traveling cell cancers that are only present in very small almost undetectable quantities.
Near Ultraviolet-Wavelength Photonic-Crystal Biosensor with Enhanced Surface-to-Bulk Sensitivity Ratio Biosensors based on one- or two-dimensional photonic-crystal reflectance filters operating at near-ultraviolet wavelengths. The biosensors feature a tightly... Read More Biosensors based on one- or two-dimensional photonic-crystal reflectance filters operating at near-ultraviolet wavelengths. The biosensors feature a tightly confined resonant electric field at the surface of this biosensor and provide a high surface-sensitivity to bulk-sensitivity ratio, enabling enhanced detection resolution for biomolecules adsorbed on the biosensor surface. These new biosensors can be fabricated in mass by replica molding and are especially well suited for applications requiring the detection of small molecules or ultra-low analyte concentrations.
Distributed Feedback Laser Biosensor A biosensor based upon a vertically emitting, distributed feedback (DFB) laser. The DFB laser comprises a replica-molded, one- or two-dimensional dielectric... Read More A biosensor based upon a vertically emitting, distributed feedback (DFB) laser. The DFB laser comprises a replica-molded, one- or two-dimensional dielectric grating coated with a laser dye-doped-polymer as the gain medium. A sensor is also described in which the grating layer and the active layer are combined into a single layer. DFB lasers using an inorganic or organic thin film with alternating regions of high and low index of refraction as the active layer are also disclosed. The sensor actively generates its own narrowband high intensity light output without stringent requirements for coupling alignment, thereby resulting in a simple, robust illumination and detection configuration.
A Method for Quantifying Polyphosphate in Biological Samples Dr. Jim Morrissey from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a microplate-based assay that allows identification and... Read More Dr. Jim Morrissey from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a microplate-based assay that allows identification and quantification of polyP in liquid biological samples such as plasma or serum. PolyP is a potent procoagulant molecule that plays a role in the pathophysiology of many procoagulant and inflammatory diseases. Currently available methods to quantify polyP are difficult and extremely laborious, severely limiting their use in clinical studies. By using the strong interaction between polyethylenimine (PE) and polyP, the assay allows high- throughput quantification of medium and long-chain polyP in the low nM range, and shorter (platelet-size) polyP in the high nM range. Benefits Rapid quanti cation of polyP in biological samples High-throughput assay adaptable to both laboratory analysis and diagnostics
Project Diagnosis of Trimethylaminuria with a Handheld Optoelectronic Nose The inventors have developed a sensitive handheld device which can detect TMA vapors at concentrations well below the diagnostically significant... Read More The inventors have developed a sensitive handheld device which can detect TMA vapors at concentrations well below the diagnostically significant concentration of TMA. Current methods require expensive instrumentation, complicated preparation of sensors, lack of portability, and long times of analysis. Benefits Method of detection not limited to handheld devices (which the manuscript addresses) First report of a line reader/sensor for a biological application Novel method of TMA detection
Nanoporous Organic Semiconductor Thin Films Fabrication Dr. Ying Diao has identified a new nanoporous thin film fabrication method using simple solution processing methods applicable to both polymer... Read More Dr. Ying Diao has identified a new nanoporous thin film fabrication method using simple solution processing methods applicable to both polymer and small molecule semiconductors. Using the novel additive method, she has developed a OFET chemical sensors comprising of nanoporous thin film. Templated by the nanostructured PVP:HAD layer, the pore sizes in the semiconductor layer are widely tunable from 50 nm to 1µm. Compared to the currently available sensors, the invention exhibited ultrafast and ultrasensitive response to ammonia as well as formaldehyde molecules down to 1ppb at hundred-millisecond time scale, a breakthrough of 10-fold sensitivity enhancement. The excellent performance, simple fabrication, and diverse form-factors of nanoporous transistors has opened up a wide range of applications of the invention in the fields of personal health and environmental monitoring, both fields which demand sensors with high sensitivity on the ppb level with fast response.
Method for Short Run-Time Spatial Gene Analysis Dr. Rashid Bashir has developed a novel method for spatial gene analysis that removes the need for purification and homogenizing steps typical in RNA amplification... Read More Dr. Rashid Bashir has developed a novel method for spatial gene analysis that removes the need for purification and homogenizing steps typical in RNA amplification techniques. This method combines microfabrication and bioengineering in a unique manner that allows for spatial gene analysis in 2 hours or less. The method uses a chip patterned with thousands of picoliter microwells with sharp edges that pixelate the tissue without cross contamination. This preserves spatial data and allows amplification in each microwell.
Assay for Quantifying Polyphosphate in Plasma Dr. Morrissey from the University of IL has developed a novel assay for quantifying polyP levels in patient plasma. This assay allows for polyP quantitation to be... Read More Dr. Morrissey from the University of IL has developed a novel assay for quantifying polyP levels in patient plasma. This assay allows for polyP quantitation to be performed quickly and in a clinical setting without purification of polyP from plasma. It uses widely available coagulometer. Accurate quantification of circulating polyP levels in a patient's blood will give insight into potential risk of thrombotic and inflammatory diseases. In addition, polyP levels may be significant in conditions such as cancer, sepsis, and trauma-induced coagulopathy. 2016-020_1.png 2016-020_2.png
PathTracker Drs. Cunningham and Bashir have developed a novel point of care diagnostic device capable of detecting pathogen infection from a single drop of blood. A blood sample is... Read More Drs. Cunningham and Bashir have developed a novel point of care diagnostic device capable of detecting pathogen infection from a single drop of blood. A blood sample is channeled through a microfluidics device allowing amplification of viral DNA/RNA of interest, which is then detected using a uses smartphone. Infection information is then uploaded allowing tracking of infections geographically. Immediate uses for the technology are for diagnosis of viral infection in human patients (Zika, dengue, and Chikungunya) and diagnosis of respiratory infection in equine populations (Equine herpesvirus, Equine influenza, Strangles, Equine adenovirus type 1, and Equine arteritis virus). Further uses include water testing, food safety, and pharmaceutical quality control.
Real-Time Label-Free Acoustic Sensing at High Throughput Rate Professor Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a device that performs real-time high sensitivity acoustic sensing of flowing fluid... Read More Professor Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a device that performs real-time high sensitivity acoustic sensing of flowing fluid-suspended cells and particles using ultra-high-Q microfluidic opto-mechanical resonators (OMFRs). They aim to achieve throughput rate of 50,000 cells/second. Related Publications: Bahl, Gaurav, et al. "Brillouin cavity optomechanics with microfluidic devices." Nature communications 4 (2013). Zhu, K., et al. "Opto-acoustic sensing of fluids and bioparticles with optomechanofluidic resonators." The European Physical Journal Special Topics 223.10 (2014): 1937-1947.