BACKGROUND:  Methods of rapid detection of toxins, chemical or biological agents are highly desirable in many areas (i.e.home healthcare, environmental testing/monitoring, food safety testing and biodefense). Conventional methods, such as bioassays and ELISA, are tedious and time-consuming, and therefore are not suitable for rapid detection. Also, it is often necessary to be able to detect very small amounts of toxins. For example, as little as 10 ng of botulism neurotoxin (BoNT/A) released into the supply chain of milk is sufficient to kill more than 500,000 people. Microfluidics is a very promising technology for rapid and sensitive detection. However, a microfluidics device that meets a multiplicity of needs for speed, sensitivity, portability and simplicity is still not available.

INNOVATION:  Researchers at UCLA have designed a microfluidic device that enables rapid detection of toxins, chemical agents, or biological agents. The device is a self-pumping lab-on-a-chip (LOC), whose unique surface-chemistry property enables autonomous delivery of liquid samples. A sensitive electrochemical sensor on the chip allows rapid detection of toxins, such as botulism neurotoxin.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Rapid detection of botulism toxin.
• Rapid detection of other toxins, biological agents, or chemical agents in these applications:
  • home healthcare
  • environmental testing/monitoring
  • food safety testing
  • disease diagnostics
  • infectious disease monitoring
  • biodefense

ADVANTAGES

• Rapid detection (<20 minutes).
• High sensitivity (100 pg/ l).
• A universal platform for detection of various toxins and agents.
• A self-pumping, autonomous LOC device, offers exceptional portability, simplicity and applicability in various settings and locations.

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  This microfluidic device has been tested in vitro for rapid detection (<20 minutes) of 100 pg/ l Botulism toxin (BoNT/A) in solution.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2009-521