University of Ljubljana, Faculty of electrical engineering

Research projects funded by the Slovenian Research Agency.

Research project

Member of University of Ljubljana: UL Faculty of Electrical Engineering

Code: J2-50073

Project: SEMI-INTEGRATED SILICON-BASED MICRO QPCR DEVICE FOR RAPID ON-SITE DETECTION OF PATHOGENES

Period: 2023-2026

Range on year: 1,19 FTE

Head: https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/sl/researcher/5116

Research activity: Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering

Research Organisation: https://fe.uni-lj.si/

Abstract: Infectious diseases, such as the recent case of coronavirus disease in 2019, have brought the prospect of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic testing into the spotlight. Rapid, accurate, low-cost, and easy-to-use testing in the field could stop epidemics before they develop into full-blown pandemics. For pathogen detection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely used and has been considered the gold standard in diagnostics. PCRs for POCs is still a research field in its infancy, therefore support for related research activities is essential. The main goal of this project is to develop a “Semi-integrated Silicon-based micro-qPCR device” for rapid on-site detection of pathogens. The research will focus on the development of a low thermal loss miniature and a time-responsive innovative "double bridge" structure of the thermal-cycler (thermocycler). Other key components of the PCR system such as the microfluidic chip for the enrichment of the analytical sample, the reaction chamber chip, and dedicated control electronics for thermocycler temperature control in connection with the fluorescence detection will be built around the designed thermocycler in such a way that the above-mentioned criteria of POC PCR analytical systems are met. In addition, we will study solutions to implement an optimal optical fluorescence detection system and develop control electronics and software to display the PCR test result on a PC or smartphone platform.

Researchers: https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/sl/researcher/12100;https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/sl/researcher/33370;

The phases of the project and their realization:

1. Sample collection and preparation on microfluidic chip

2. Developing a reaction chamber

3. Developing silicon thermocycler and smart control electronics

4. Incorporation fluorescence detection in the system in order to validate the efficiency of the project-developed micro qPCR components and the system

Citations for bibliographic records: https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/sl/researcher/5116