Biomed 02 | Lab-on-Chip
The Biomed02 project, Lab-on-Chip, develops high-quality diagnostic automated platform, based on the integration of electronic, photonic, and biotechnological sectors on the surface of a miniaturized chip. The ultimate outcome is the generation of platforms for biomarker analysis, protein activity analysis and DNA/RNA detection. The platforms can be used in multiple domains ranging from health, food, environmental and drug development. Through the Biomed 02 project, the Netherlands uses its strong ecosystem to become a leader in improved biomedical analyses.
Key Challenges
The development and production of biochips come with several significant challenges. Current processes rely heavily on manual steps, making production slow, costly, and difficult to scale. These limitations hinder the affordability of diagnostic tests, especially for broader applications.
Additionally, the integration of electronic, photonic, microfluidic, and biotechnological functionalities (such as assay reagents and sample) into a single device requires advanced engineering and innovation. Existing methods for assembling, gluing, and packaging biochips and integrating with biochemical assays for proteins or DNA/RNA are not compatible with the manufacturing techniques used in the semiconductor industry. These incompatibilities further limit the scalability and cost-effectiveness of LoC production.
Biomed 02 is addressing these challenges by introducing highly automated processes and innovative equipment to make large-scale production for Lab-on-Chip-based platforms viable and affordable. By adopting techniques inspired by the semiconductor ecosystem, we aim to ensure that advanced diagnostics become accessible to a wider range of users.
Platform and Applications
Biomed 02 is developing three state-of-the-art platforms, each designed to address specific diagnostic needs.
Integrated Photonics (IPx) Biochip Platform
The Integrated Photonics (IPx) Biochip Platform uses LioniX International’s ultra-sensitive TriPleX® sensor chip technology. This platform, combined with Surfix Diagnostics’ material-specific biofunctionalisation, enables applications such as early cancer detection with Qurin Diagnostics, veterinary diagnostics with the Animal Health Service, and drug development lead screening with Delta Diagnostics.
CRISPR-Cas Technology Platform
The CRISPR-Cas Technology Platform integrates the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas technology developed by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Scope Diagnostics. This platform utilises microfluidics and Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) bioassays to detect specific DNA and RNA sequences. Applications include pathogen detection for infectious diseases such as COVID-19, as well as long-term cancer detection in collaboration with UT and VUmc.
Luminescent-based photon detection Platform
The Luminescent-based photon detection Platform will create a paradigm shift for patients with chronic diseases as it will bring the lab to the patient thereby avoiding long turn-around-times. Due to its simple design and portability, it will allow Health Care professionals to perform diagnostic tests without any laboratory infrastructure. Ultimately it will allow patients with chronic diseases who require frequent monitoring to perform the test by themselves.
Why Biomed 02 is a Game-Changer
Diagnosis and monitoring play a dominant role in daily life in various domains such a in health, food and environmental and drug development. Often these activities require costly laboratory infrastructures, large sample volumes and have a long-turn-around times. By integrating novel developments from high-tech industries with current diagnostic tools, low-cost miniaturized platforms can be created that are less costly and can ultimately be used by the customer itself without compromising on accuracy and sensitivity.
These platforms enable advanced diagnostics to analyse multiple parameters in a single sample. The miniaturized technology can measure a wide range of analytes, including DNA, proteins, cells, and toxins directly out of a small sample volume.
By focusing on automation, scalability, and cost reduction, Biomed 02 is revolutionising the production of Lab-on-Chip platforms. These innovations will help to bridge the gap between cutting-edge diagnostics and real-world accessibility, opening up new possibilities for healthcare, biotechnology, and more. Furthermore, this infrastructure supports other diagnostic systems, including non-photonic chip-based principles, ensuring its broad applicability.
Biomed 02 supports advancements across key sectors, including life sciences, engineering, photonics, and nano- and chemical technologies. The outcome will be an high-throughput infrastructure for these lab-on-a-Chip-based platform and low-cost stand-alone applications. By combining expertise from multiple disciplines, the project is driving forward a new era of diagnostic innovation.
Contact
For more information regarding this project, please contact Wim van den Broek, Project Leader, Lab-on-Chip, at w.vandenbroek@enzyre.com