Barcode chip to revolutionize medical diagnostics?
Scientists at Caltech, led by James R. Heath, have developed a new “barcode chip” which is set to revoluzionize diagnostics in medicine. What does this chip actually do? From a very small amount of blood, within 10 minutes, the chip can measure concentrations of numerous proteins, including those that are “connected” with diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases.
The barcode chip (also called IBBC) is not very big in size (approx. the size of a microscope slide). It is made out of glass substrate and covered with silicone rubber. On the surface of the chip there are microfluidic circuits, which actually “accept” the blood that needs to be analyzed.
The IBBC is a huge improvement compared to standard laboratory blood testing, both in cost and speed of the tests. Standard laboratory blood tests are done by taking blood from patient’s vein, taking it to laboratory and getting it centrifuged, where the blood cells are separated from the plasma. After that, the plasma can be examined for certain proteins. “The whole kit could cost not more than $50.” says Heath. “We wanted to lower the costs and the time needed for such tests. I think we’ve achieved what we wanted.”
One chip can be used to perform tests on 8 patients and it examines many proteins at once. “We are aiming to measure 100 proteins per fingerprick within a year or so. It’s a pretty enabling technology.” says Health.
The chip is now being clinically tested on patients with glioblastoma, a form of brain tumor.
