Microfluidic Bar Code Assay Device

Patent Status

Brief Description

Current protein microarrays can analyze targets from a single sample against hundreds of surface-immobilized capture molecules. However, problems preventing widespread adoption of traditional protein microarrays include high costs, long assay times, or a lack of customization, sample multiplexing, and specificity.  

To meet these challenges, investigators at UC Berkeley have developed a rapid microfluidic device and assay using novel chemical and physical based techniques.  The microfluidic assay uses minimal sample volume (5μl) on a small footprint format, which is amendable to portable, low-cost and disposable use at the point-of-care.  The technology would allow the end user to rapidly pattern their own high-throughput arrays, reducing assay time from days or weeks to minutes.

Suggested uses

• Clinical diagnostic devices and assays (e.g., identifying and detecting viral antibodies)
• Protein testing (e.g., research and diagnostic applications)
• Point-of-care diagnostic devices
• Lab-on-a-chip microfluidic devices
• Antibody development
• Drug development and high-throughput pharmaceutical research

Advantages

• Reduced consumption of sample and reagents
• Portable, low-cost and disposable
• Ease of automation
• Fast reaction times

Publication

Microfluidic barcode assay for antibody based confirmatory diagnostics