Microarray platforms with different biological components (e.g. DNA, proteins, antibodies, peptides, carbohydrates, cells or tissue) are being developed and commercialized as powerful high-throughput analytical tools with application in genomics, proteomics, drug discovery, or clinical diagnostics. CSIC has patented an electric and reusable microarray reader that enables to work with standard low cost substrates of traditional fluorescent reading systems but with a much more compact and cost-effective equipment.

An offer for Know How Licensing and device development

Compact, economic and reusable readout device

The developed electrical readout system for (bio)microarrays comprises impedimetric transducers (IDES). The design and performance of the (bio)microarray (proteins, DNA, etc.) can be equal to those usually carried out on flat substrates with the only requirement of the conjugate label. This should be an enzyme (eg, urease) whose corresponding reaction generates a chemical product that can be detected by the IDE transducers.

For the reading process, droplets of the buffer solution containing the chemical substrate are generated on the surface of each transducer. The (bio)microarray is then placed so that each of the transducer droplets gets in contact with a single spot of the (bio)microarray. The transducer thus measures the changes in product concentration.

The generation of droplets on the transducers can be performed manually or automatically by the injection of fluid through microchannels implemented in the actual readout system.

Unlike other electric readout systems, this reader can be cleaned manually or automatically and be reused an unlimited number of times.

An alternative to optical readout devices and new POC Applications.

The device can replace optical microarray systems or lead to new POC (Point-of-Care) applications in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, emergency units, GP medicine, veterinary, sports, developing countries, archaeology, etc.

Readout device during proteins microarray reading.

The system uses an enzyme for labelling and
IDEs impedimetric tranductor to detect concentration changes.

Microarray readout of a mouse protein.

Main applications and advantages

• Compact / Portable
• Economic
• Reusable
• Suitable for non expert users
• Low sample volume
• Low reagent consumption
• Low cost per assay

More information

Mr. Ferran Vera Gras
Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona
Vicepresidencia Adjunta de Transferencia de Conocimiento
Tel.: +34 – 93 594 77 00
Fax: +34 – 93 580 14 96
ferran.vera@imb-cnm.csic.es [1]