Lap-on-Chip for Rapid Bacterial Diagnosis

A new lab-on-chip application for DNA-based detection of sepsis-causing bacteria provides faster and more reliable results at a fraction of the cost and complexity of conventional laboratory systems.

The test uses a diagnostic panel from Mobidiag (Helsinki, Finland) that runs on the In-Check platform of STMicroelectronics (Boston, MA, USA). The miniaturized compact solution enables early detection of disease, resulting in better treatment choices for patients and lower overall costs to healthcare systems, say the two companies.

The pathogen panel identifies 10 sepsis-causing bacterial species as well as methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus from positive blood culture samples. The diagnostic panel has been designed to optimize the choice of antibiotic therapy in combination with results from Gram staining, an empirical comparative method of differentiating bacterial species. The rapid accurate results from the ST/Mobidiag solution is designed to reduce the risks of antibiotic misuse and help doctors select the right treatment.

The ST lab-on-chip platform amplifies relevant DNA samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and has an integrated custom low-density microarray. Microreactors buried in the micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) chip carry the mixture of sample and reagents, while on-chip heating elements perform the temperature cycling. Since the analysis is performed on a chip in an encapsulated self-contained unit, the risks of cross-contamination are minimized. The lab-on-chip interfaces to the thermal control system that actuates, monitors, and adjusts the parameters of the reaction.

"We believe that affordable, user-friendly, and portable devices like the In-Check are set to make a critical difference in a growing number of diagnostic applications,” noted Anton Hofmeister, group vice president and general manager for ST's microfluidic division.





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Mobidiag
STMicroelectronics