Split Aptamers Immobilized on Polymer Brushes Integrated in a Lab-on-Chip System Based on an Array of Amorphous Silicon Photosensors: A Novel Sensor Assay

Biomolecular Monitoring Tool Based on Lab-on-Chip for Virus Detection

Lab-on-Chip (LoC) devices for performing real-time PCR are advantageous compared to standard equipment since these systems allow to conduct in-field quick analysis. The development of LoCs, where the components for performing the nucleic acid amplification are all integrated, can be an issue. In this work, we present a LoC-PCR device where thermalization, temperature control and detection elements are all integrated on a single glass substrate named System-on-Glass (SoG) obtained using metal thin-film deposition. By using a microwell plate optically coupled with the SoG, real-time reverse transcriptase PCR of RNA extracted from both a plant and human virus has been carried out in the developed LoC-PCR device. The limit of detection and time of analysis for the detection of the two viruses by using the LoC-PCR were compared with those achieved by standard equipment. The results showed that the two systems can detect the same concentration of RNA; however, the LoC-PCR performs the analysis in half of the time compared to the standard thermocycler, with the advantage of the portability, leading to a point-of-care device for several diagnostic applications.

Thin-Film-Based Multifunctional System for Optical Detection and Thermal Treatment of Biological Samples

In this work, we present a multifunctional Lab-on-Chip (LoC) platform based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon sensors suitable for a wide range of application in the fields of biochemical and food quality control analysis. The proposed system includes a LoC fabricated on a 5 cm × 5 cm glass substrate and a set of electronic boards for controlling the LoC functionalities. The presented Lab-on-Chip comprises light and temperature sensors, a thin film resistor acting as a heating source, and an optional thin film interferential filter suitable for fluorescence analysis. The developed electronics allows to control the thin film heater, a light source for fluorescence and absorption measurements, and the photosensors to acquire luminescent signals. All these modules are enclosed in a black metal box ensuring the portability of the whole platform. System performances have been evaluated in terms of sensor optical performances and thermal control achievements. For optical sensors, we have found a minimum number of detectable photons of 8 × 10⁴ s^-1·cm^-2 at room temperature, 1.6 × 10⁶ s^-1·cm^-2 in presence of fluorescence excitation source, and 2.4 × 10⁶ s^-1·cm^-2 at 90 °C. From a thermal management point of view, we have obtained heating and cooling rates both equal to 2.2 °C/s, and a temperature sensor sensitivity of about 3 mV/°C even in presence of light. The achieved performances demonstrate the possibility to simultaneously use all integrated sensors and actuators, making promising the presented platform for a wide range of application fields.