The translation of a bioassay to a microfluidic cartridge, with the objective of automating a bioassay, is a complex process that requires knowledge and expertise in both biology and engineering when it comes to product development. Understanding each step of the bioassay and the ability to adequately develop a microfluidic chip for each type of bioassay is essential to create a diagnostic device that can be marketed successfully.

At microLIQUID, our combined team of engineers and scientists have an extensive background and wide experience in the development and mass manufacture of immunoassays and molecular diagnostics platforms such as microarrays, biosensors, PCR / RT-PCR and sample preparation applications, etc. We can assist you in the process of Bio-translation from the bench to the market.

microLIQUID bio laboratory has expert scientists and engineers who work side-by-side to transfer bioassays to fully automated microfluidic cartridges. From sandwich or competitive 96well plate ELISA to microarray protein, from real-time PCR to DNA microarray, from conventional PCR in tubes to PCR microfluidic device for DNA amplification.

We integrate reagents into the microfluidic cartridge. With this, we achieve that all the bioassay reagents can be stored in the microfluidic chip at different formats, optimizing the reagents consumption for diagnosis, and thus achieve the desired process without manipulating the sample during the whole process.

For more information: www.microLIQUID.com

COC & COP microfluidic cartridge

At microLIQUID we have 10 years of experience working side by side with our customers, manufacturing microfluidic products based on hard polymers such as COC (cyclic olephine copolymer) and COP (cyclic olephine polymer). Our state-of-the-art micro-manufacturing processes for these types of microfluidic cartridges are unique in the industry.

These medical-grade plastics are perfect for microfluidics, as they are outstanding performers in different life science applications: molecular diagnostics, immunoassays, NGS, cell culture and cell diagnostics. These highly biocompatible copolymers have exceptional optical properties, including high clarity and high light transmissivity, in addition to very low moisture absorption, very low permeability to water vapor, and good chemical resistance.

We apply different high-skill engineering processes to our in-house manufacture of COC and COP microfluidic devices, undertaking the complete workflow from initial concept to mass manufacturing. We often begin with prototype production for design validation in the proof-of-principle stage. We might then continue with small- to medium-size production runs in preparation for ultimate mass manufacturing. In the critical area of integration of post-processing techniques, we have extensive experience in bonding processes and polymer surface treatments in order to fine-tune surface properties for different purposes, such as wettability modification, cell adherence, improvement of microfluidic droplet formation or DNA/protein spotting.

Our manufacturing services include:

• Initial concept manufacturing (lithography, micro milling, 3D printing…)
• Short- and medium-run manufacturing (hot embossing, injection molding…)
• Large-scale manufacturing (injection molding, microinjection molding..)
• Bonding processes (thermal bonding, chemical bonding, solvent bonding…)
• Polymer surface treatments (Chemical treatments, UV treatments…)

Our aim is always to achieve the results necessary to make the projects we develop with our customers a complete success!

Visit us in www.microLIQUID.com

Molecular diagnostics have improved the diagnosis and treatment of millions of patients worldwide allowing clinicians to diagnose patients earlier as well as providing better ongoing therapies.

At microLIQUID we develop fully automated sample preparation and molecular diagnostic systems based on microfluidics.

Non-microfluidic diagnostic instruments usually require an important quantity of costly reagents, long analysis time, established lab infrastructure and trained professionals to operate, which limits their availability for large-scale screening applications in developed countries and primary care in developing countries. There is a strong demand for robust, cost-effective, and simple-to-operate instruments for molecular diagnostics.

Microfluidics systems have many advantages, such as short analysis time, reduction in fabrication costs, and low sample/reagent consumption.

Besides, most current microfluidic diagnostic devices are designed to target a single disease, such as a given cancer or a variety of pathogens. The future of molecular diagnostics lies in highly multiplexed microfluidic devices that can screen for potentially hundreds of diseases simultaneously.

microLIQUID is committed with the development of diagnostic systems, having the experience and expertise to develop and manufacture fully automated sample preparation and molecular diagnostics systems.

microLIQUID – MICROFLUIDIC IMMUNOASSAY

The high sensitivity and specificity of immunoassays make them a powerful tool in molecular diagnostics. microLIQUID, has proven that microfluidics is making a change in the field of diagnostics.

The current immunoassay ‘gold standard’ ELISA, while proven to be highly robust and reliable, suffers from large sample requirements, long diffusion times, and hence, long incubation times moreover, it requires a specific enzyme-fluorophore complex that does not interfere with the reaction.

In recent years, microLIQUID has focused on combining the classic ELISA approach with microfluidic technologies. Such devices enable quantitative immunoassay results by integrating sensitive optical or electrochemical detection methods. The main advantages of a microfluidic immunoassay compared to conventional approaches are:

1. Increase throughout and reproducibility, with automatic microfluidic immunoassay system.

2. Lower consumption of samples and reagents.

3. Speed up the antibody-antigen binding reactions.

Summarizing, the combination of microfluidics and immunoassay technologies can detect biomarkers with faster assay time, reduced volumes of reagents, lower power requirements, and higher levels of integration and automation compared to traditional approaches.