Perpendicular to these guides light channels fluídicos

Investigators Nanophotonics Technology Center (NTC) of the Polytechnic University are developing

a sensor biochemist from 'user-friendly, cost-effective and fast', which will be used to detect

various diseases simultaneously from a small sample of blood.

This was reported today by the principal investigator, Dr. Daniel Hill, who has said that the

European project SABIO (Ultrahigh sensitivity Slot-wAveguide BIOsensor on a highly integrated

chip for simultaneous diagnosis of multiple diseases) is part of the Sixth Framework Programme,

began in January 2006 and lasts for three years.
The investigator stated that the objective of the research is to be able to detect any health

center or hospital Hepatitis B and C, citomeglovirus and liver cancer fast reliable without

having to send the sample to a laboratory , thus saving money and energy.

Daniel Hill, the project coordinator, has indicated that it only requires a simple drop of blood

and waiting for minutes to get the results.

In addition, this instrument will be compact and automated, thus easy to handle for a person with

little technical knowledge.

The 'box' or platform where the sample is introduced, incorporating the different components that

research units involved in SABIO have developed, primarily a chip photonics, a system to control

entry and exit lighting, anti-vibration system and another control the temperature, and that any

alteration of conditions can affect the outcome.

The chip that analyzes the sample is composed of components of nanometer size (1 millimeter =

which explains that with a single drop of blood will be able to obtain

reliable results.

Moreover, compared with the sensors currently available on the market, this device includes many

more areas of detection, thus generates a lot of data points which translates into greater

sensitivity in the measurement of a greater number of diseases with a sample small.

'There is no technology that can do so many tests in an area so small,' said Daniel Hill.

By reducing the sample, also reduces the amount of reagents used thereby lowering the process.

The design of the chip or biochemical sensor is the most complex.

It's made with silicon, the same material which manufactured electronic microchips phones or

computers, but transmits light rather than electricity.

This is possible thanks to the incorporation of a series of nanoguías light or 'guides slotted'

(slot-waveguides) that channel light.

In the same device, but placed perpendicular to these guides light channels fluídicos drive blood

sample.

At certain points the light intercepts fluid and the presence of 'targets' (antibodies or

antigens, depending on the case) modulates the intensity of transmitted light and there is a sign

indicating that the patient shows symptoms of the disease.

Hill explained that 'on the side walls of the channels are placed where optical receivers for the

detection of' targets', the electric field is very high and concentrated.

'Therefore, if there are' targets' on the sample to find their roots in the receivers, as his

presence changes the effective refractive index of the structure detection, the resonance

frequency was also amended effective ', has indicated.