High Precision RPPA: Concept, Features, and Application Performance of the Integrated Zeptosens Platform.

An integrated reverse phase protein array (RPPA) platform shall allow the precise monitoring of expression level and changes of proteins and their functional states in a highly parallel manner even when samples exhibit a complex matrix like in tumor tissues and are available only in very limited amounts. Ideally the full workflow from sample preparation to data visualization shall be covered.This book chapter describes the key elements of the integrated Zeptosens RPPA platform.

Microfluidic and transducer technologies for lab on a chip applications.

Point-of-care diagnostic devices typically require six distinct qualities: they must deliver at least the same sensitivity and selectivity, and for a cost per assay no greater than that of today's central lab technologies, deliver results in a short period of time (〈15 min at GP; 〈2h in hospital), be portable or at least small in scale, and require no or extremely little sample preparation. State-of-the-art devices deliver information of several markers in the same measurement.

A packaged optical slot-waveguide ring resonator sensor array for multiplex label-free assays in labs-on-chips.

We present the design, fabrication, and characterisation of an array of optical slot-waveguide ring resonator sensors, integrated with microfluidic sample handling in a compact cartridge, for multiplexed real-time label-free biosensing. Multiplexing not only enables high throughput, but also provides reference channels for drift compensation and control experiments. Our use of alignment tolerant surface gratings to couple light into the optical chip enables quick replacement of cartridges in the read-out instrument.

Rapid bacterial identification using evanescent-waveguide oligonucleotide microarray classification.

Bacterial identification relies primarily on culture-based methodologies and requires 48-72 h to deliver results. We developed and used i) a bioinformatics strategy to select oligonucleotide signature probes, ii) a rapid procedure for RNA labelling and hybridization, iii) an evanescent-waveguide oligoarray with exquisite signal/noise performance, and iv) informatics methods for microarray data analysis. Unique 19-mer signature oligonucleotides were selected in the 5'-end of 16s rDNA genes of human pathogenic bacteria.

A quantitative study of optical mapping surfaces by atomic force microscopy and restriction endonuclease digestion assays.

Many new techniques in biomolecular chemistry and genomic analysis require the immobilization of molecular reagents on specially prepared surfaces. However, the process of molecular fixation often interferes with or precludes the use of standard in vitro biochemical assays. Optical mapping is an emergent technology for genomic analysis which relies on the biochemical activity of DNA fixed to silanized glass surfaces.