As the world is struggling with coronavirus, the importance of testing, in terms of the number of tests and testing speed and reliability, is increasingly the talk of the day. The solution that the WUT team is working on may greatly help medics and patients to tackle challenges such as the current pandemic in the future.

Fast and reliable

The scientists’ ambition is to develop an innovative medical technology for rapid testing of a variety of analytes using electrochemical immune biosensors. The project is to deliver a fully functional device for rapid, sensitive and reliable diagnostics in challenging emergency conditions, e.g. where the patient’s life is at risk.

Prof. Malinowska and her team are planning a diagnostic system comprising several components: a microelectronic reader for use by doctors, nurses and paramedics in non-laboratory settings; disposable diagnostic cartridges for performing certain protein and polypeptide assays in the blood, urea, nasal swabs or other biological samples; and a measurement data management system with the associated infrastructure.

This solution will expand the range of tests currently available and enhance testing capabilities for diverse biomarkers and pathogens.

Independent and parallel

The scientists want their device to be used for diagnostics beyond the hospital settings and primarily on a point-of-care basis. The aim is to facilitate detection of bacterial, viral and fungal antigens, biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases or hormones.

The technology is meant for patient use in self-testing.

Device mobility and miniaturization of measuring components are an essential part of the concept. This will enable parallel assays of several different analytes in a single test.

Project duration: Dec 1, 2018 to Nov 30, 2021

The ImDiag project: “Development of the structural design and manufacturing technology of miniature diagnostic devices for rapid biomarker testing on physiological fluids and other biological samples” is funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund under the Smart Growth Operational Programme; a funding call by the National Centre for Research and Development.

Beneficiaries: the Warsaw University of Technology Center for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT (Leader), Institute of Biotechnology and Antibiotics and Screenmed Sp. z o.o.