Ultra-Sensitive Optofluidic Platform for Point-of-Care Molecular Diagnostics
Holger Schmidt,
Narinder Kapany Professor of Electrical Engineering,
University of California-Santa Cruz
Lab-on-chip systems can form the basis for next-generation molecular
biosensors for point-of-care use. In order to fulfill this potential,
they need to combine excellent specificity and sensitivity with speed,
robustness, and low cost. I will describe a waveguide-based optofluidic
platform that is ideal for this purpose. Specifically, I will review
ultrasensitive performance using the example of fluorescence and
label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 from clinical nasal swab samples with
single molecule sensitivity. Multiplex detection of single viral
antigens is demonstrated along with dual detection of viral DNA and
antigen as well as label-free nanopore sensing of single RNAs with
2,000x enhanced detection rate. In addition, I will discuss approaches
geared at adapting this platform for point-of-case use, including novel
signal analysis algorithms and implementation of real-time analysis of
single-molecule fluorescence signals.
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