Detection of Pathogens Using Microfluidics and Biosensors

Abstract

Point-of-care devices technology are a promising way towards the recognition of pathogens in early-stage diagnosis, which is critical for the success of inexpensive treatments as opposed to the high costs of managing the disease. The integration of immunoassays with read out circuitry allows the implementation of diagnostic devices for their use by untrained personnel, without compromising reliability. In the following chapter, three different biosensors based on lab-on-a-chip (LoC) and microfluidic technologies were designed, assembled and tested for pathogen diagnosis. The devices allowed the effective detection of the human papilloma virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Chagas parasite in shorter times and with smaller sample volumes than those required by current clinical diagnosis techniques. All devices were benchmarked against commercial techniques in terms of cost and time requirement per test.

Microfluidic System for Microbial Pathogen Detection

“…The purpose of using DEP technique was to enrich trace bacteria and an LOD of 5 x 10 4 CFU mL -1 was attained in 6 min [34]. Lopez-Barbosa et al integrated microfluidic with electroimmunosensor technologies to achieve detection of HPV, Chagas parasite and M. tuberculosis in a shorter time and with smaller sample volumes as compared to current clinical diagnosis techniques [35]. This method effectively relied on microfluidics for separation and impedance measurement for sensing.…”

“…This method effectively relied on microfluidics for separation and impedance measurement for sensing. Such integrated portable microfluidic devices are benchmark for commercial diagnostic devices in terms of cost, ease of use and duration of test [35].…”

Passivated‐electrode insulator‐based dielectrophoretic separation of heterogeneous cell mixtures

“…Heterogeneous cell populations’ solation into more distinct homogenous subpopulations will enable further molecular, chemical, or biophysical characterization of the cellular activities. Such detailed analysis can be further utilized for the monitoring of diseases in patients or detecting harmful pathogen activities in the environment [5–8]. Specifically, potentially high‐risk bioparticles, such as nonviable cells, cancerous cells, disease‐infected cells, and bacterial cells could be separated from surrounding (nontarget) particles and evaluated.…”