Abstract

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.