Polysaccharide microarrays with a CMOS based signal detection unit.

Microarray based test assays have become increasingly important tools in diagnostics for fast multi-parameter detection especially where sample volumes are limited. We present here a simple procedure to create polysaccharide microarrays, which can be used to analyze antibodies using an integrated, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) based electric signal readout process. To accomplish this chips are used which consist of an array of silicon photodiodes and where different types of polysaccharides from the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae are printed on the (silicon dioxide) chip surface.

In vitro system for the prediction of hepatotoxic effects in primary hepatocytes.

Prediction of liver toxicity and compound responses continues to be a major challenge for the pharmaceutical industry. In vitro studies on liver cells have been developed to reduce or replace animal experiments. However, most of the tests in use are based on cell lines which do not necessarily represent normal cell physiology.

Online monitoring of cell metabolism for studying pharmacodynamic effects.

To characterize modes of action of substances and their cytotoxic effects Bionas GmbH has developed a new screening system to allow the continuous recording of how an active substance can act (Bionas 2500 analyzing system). In the pharmaceutical industry it is important to acquire as much information as possible about the metabolic effects of an active substance. Most classical pre-clinical studies are very expensive and time-consuming.

Measurement of electrical activity of long-term mammalian neuronal networks on semiconductor neurosensor chips and comparison with conventional microelectrode arrays.

Based on complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology a neurosensor chip with passive palladium electrodes was developed. The CMOS technology allows a high reproducibility of the sensors as well as miniaturization and the on-chip integration of electronics. Networks of primary neurones were taken from murine foetal spinal cord (day 14) and frontal cortex (day 15) tissues and cultured on the silicon surface in a chamber volume of 200 microl with 7 mm diameter.