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Diagnostic Biosensors

The rapidly aging society in the industrial countries calls for new solutions for the health care of the future. Telemedicine, eHealth and personalized medicine will contribute to the solution. However, to really achieve a fundamental breakthrough in this direction the development of highly sensitive, miniaturized, easy-to-use and cost-effective sensor systems for the point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for the early detection of diseases and therapy monitoring as well as for lifestyle and wellbeing applications for monitoring, maintaining and improving the health status is essential.

With a systemic approach, our interdisciplinary team of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and electrical engineering develops diagnostic sensor system concepts for POC and provides solutions that meet the application needs of our customers.  
We have special expertise in the development of highly sensitive und highly selective detection schemes for the detection of biomolecules in liquid samples such as blood, urine or saliva using innovative photonic, electrochemical, magnetic und nanomaterial-based methods. The focus is on the detection of proteins, nucleic acids and other biomarkers for POC diagnostics with the aim of health care.
In addition, we also pursue the detection of e.g. pharmaceuticals in the human body for therapy monitoring. In all of our developments, we pay attention to compatibility with cost-effective mass production methods and to environmentally friendly design of the sensor systems in terms of structure and the materials used. 

 

RESEARCH AND SERVICE OFFER

  • Sensor development: Our developments focus on highly sensitive biosensor components for the use in integrated lab-on-a-chip-systems for patient-near medical diagnostics. The spectrum of technologies used ranges from electrochemical sensor structures, e.g. using functional printing processes and paper-based concepts, to nanoparticle-based approaches and integrated optical waveguide components (photonic integrated circuits). Our approaches are always oriented towards the optimal performance of the overall sensor system. In doing so, we attach great importance to simulation and physical modelling. 
  • Surface functionalization & electrochemical detection methods: Development of protocols for surface functionalization as well as electrochemical detection methods for specific target molecules und sample liquids. For the surface functionalization, we apply contactless dispensing methods to apply the biochemical and sensory substances. The implementation of signal enhancement mechanisms ensures reaching the achievement of highest sensitivity and enables short measuring times.  
  • Sensor system development: Realization of sensor systems, also with readout units in miniaturized and automated form. For this purpose, (micro-) fluidic systems developed in-house can also be used. The operator convenience is always considered. 
  • Micro & Nanotechnologies: Our thin film technology laboratory is specialized in the integration of various materials and components and forms a central unit for the design and fabrication of demonstrators, also under cleanroom conditions. Here, AIT develops functional thin films and coatings and exploits the possibilities of micro- & nanotechnology to develop innovative concepts and systems for biomedical diagnostics, lab-on-a-chip components, and sensors.