A novel optical biochip based on fluorescence anisotropy

An incredible and fascinating travel towards micro and nanotechnology world will lead you into the realisation of a novel biochip for sensors based exclusively on optical principles. A multidisciplinary project which include Chemistry, Physics, Biotechnology, Biology and industry for the realization of biomedical POCT (Point of care testing). The biosensors developed were integrated within an optical biochip connected to an innovative optical platform based on fluorescence coupled to the coverslip and guided by the chip to an optical detector. The potential of the biochip as a biosensor was investigated in depth by means of a direct antigen/antibody interaction carried out inside the flow channels. Following this, bioassays for the detection of NF-kB transcription factor by DNA/protein interaction and for RNA that codifies for MGMT protein were implemented on the optical platform. The experiments were performed mainly at the Institute of Applied Physics of National Research Council (IFAC-CNR), Firenze, Italy, in collaboration with the Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC-CNR), Pisa, Italy and Health Department of Cranfield University in Silsoe, Luton, UK.