Lab-on-a-chip is a relatively new technological development and it allows for the mass screening of several trial compounds. Lab-on-a-chip is a device that combines several laboratory functions on a single micro-sized chip. This allows for automation and high-throughput screening; the chip acts as a batch testing device. The technology behind the lab-on-a-chip devices is a form of micro-electro-mechanical system and the science of microfluidics (the manipulation of minute quantities of fluids.)
Lab-on-a-chip technology has been used to screen candidate drug compounds, early pathogen detection and for the testing of possible antibiotics. In a new development, researchers working at IBM have succeeded in separating out biological particles down to nanoscale-sized entities. This is important because it equates to the size of DNA and many viruses. The new development allows for particles 50 times smaller than current technology will allow to be screened.
Having a lab-on-a-chip that can process nano-sized molecules means that medics could potentially screen for signs of a disease — in the early stages — before any symptoms are apparent. The new process would allow, for the first time, circulating tumor cells to be detected. This paves the way for the early detection of cancer. It is hoped the study will be able to confirm that the technology can detect exosomes with cancer-specific biological markers from patient liquid biopsies.
In trials, IBM has teamed up with medical staff at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai hospital to see if exosomes can be spotted. Exosomes are released in bodily fluids and are seen as an early biological marker for cancer. The initial focus will be on prostate cancer.
Speaking with Controlled Environments magazine, Dr. Gustavo Stolovitzky, from IBM, said: “The ability to sort and enrich biomarkers at the nanoscale in chip-based technologies opens the door to understanding diseases such as cancer as well as viruses like the flu or Zika.”
He then expanded on the real-time benefits: “This extra amount of time could allow physicians to make more informed decisions and when the prognosis for treatment options is most positive.”
The research has been reported to Nature Nanotechnology. The research paper is titled “Nanoscale lateral displacement arrays for the separation of exosomes and colloids down to 20 nm.”
