New disc-based technologies for diagnostic and research applications

Abstract

The role of genotypic analysis in disease diagnostics and drug response assessment is continually expanding. New genomic discoveries combined with new, novel technologies may provide a greater range of testing capabilities in the near future. We describe the application of nanotechnology, in which DNA microarrays have been placed in a microchannel environment that can be read and analyzed in an optical (CD/DVD) disc drive system. The potential exists to combine molecular and immunological applications together into a rapid, low-cost, high-capacity screening platform. The relevance of this technology is discussed in respect to infectious agent detection, pharmacogenomics, neurogenomics and genetic variations associated with neurologic diseases.

Microfluidic ion-sensing devices

“…Details about approaches to propulsion, valving, and mixing in microfluidics have been described elsewhere and, while not discussed at length herein, are summarized in Table 1 [1-4, [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. For a microfluidic device to work properly, fluids must be moved from one point to another (e.g., reservoir to reservoir, reservoir to detector) in a controlled and predictable manner.…”

Nanomedicine – prospective therapeutic and diagnostic applications

“…Electrostatic, self-assembly processed, solid nanoparticles coated with fluorescent enzyme-containing thin films, as well as hollow micro/nanocapsules containing fluorescent indicators and enzymes or glucose-binding proteins, are being used to monitor glucose concentrations [17]. Other applications include using gold nanoparticles for DNA diagnostics [18], and DNA microarrays for genotypic analysis and assessment of drug responses [19].…”

Nanotechnologies for Diagnosis – Present and Future

“…High-capacity screening and combined molecular and immunological diagnostics will play a role in establishing high-resolution tissue diagnostics retinal diseases glaucoma a broader range of testing capabilities that will allow diagnostics to be not diseasespecific, but patient-specific and support the development of pharmacogenomics [26,27]. Ultimately, smart nanostructures such as nanoparticles, nanotubes and dendrimers could be fabricated with both targeting capability and therapeutic moieties enabling site-specific delivery of therapy and personalized medicine [28].…”