Next-Generation Point-of-Care System: Custom Integration of Confocal Raman Spectrometer and High-Sensitivity NanoPhotonic-MicroFluidic Devices

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In spite of enormous advances in sensing technology, we still lack the ability to provide rapid identification and accurate quantification of infectious organisms and biomarkers (harbingers of various ailments) at the first point-of-care' which otherwise would serve to markedly improve and expedite early-stage diagnosis of diseases and enable close monitoring of the efficiency of prescribed treatments.******Of the many optical-photonic sensing methods, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) provides high specificity by revealing compositional and structural makeup of species through vibrational fingerprinting of constituent molecules. A manifold of SERS substrates, wherein predominantly metal nanoparticles are used to confine light within nanoscale interstices, have been developed to increase the SERS efficiency. However, these platforms are limited due to inherent randomness of nanoparticles (size and relative spacing), resulting in uni-wavelength or narrow band of light localization.******Recently, we have made a ground-breaking advance through the discovery of a new SERS platform - overcoming the above limitations and leading to the development of robust multi-wavelength SERS sensing substrates deep subwavelength light localization in width-graded nano-gratings amenable to economic reproducible manufacturing. ******Here, PI Nazir Kherani (Electrical and Computer Eng. (ECE) and Materials Science and Eng. (MSE) expertise in the new nanoplasmonic SERS platform), co-PI Aaron Wheeler (Chemistry proficiency in digital microfluidics), co-PI Naomi Matsuura (MSE and Institute for Biomedical and BioEng. in-depth experience with pathogens and biomarkers) and co-PI Stewart Aitchison (ECE experienced in spectroscopy of pathogens and biomarkers) propose to build and validate the first SERS based microfluidic sensing system via custom integration of a confocal Raman spectrometer. This research facility will serve to demonstrate and firmly establish the technological foundation for a highly efficacious point-of-care system for direct blood analysis.******Multidisciplinary collaboration of 3 PDFs and 5 PhDs will drive the construction and validation of the integrated sensing system. The team will systematically investigate and demonstrate high-sensitivity and rapid screening of a long list of pathogens and biomarkers in blood. This study is critical to advancing the analysis and reliability of the sensing system, wherein comprehensive optical fingerprint database corresponding to pathogens and biomarkers for infectious disease (such as sepsis) and acute leukemia cancer will be generated and analyzed using standard multivariate techniques and modern approaches such as machine learning.******This proposal is deemed urgent given its enormous potential to improve delivery of health care and reduce cost. If granted, the proposal provides a unique opportunity to establish Canada as a leader in next generation point-of-care multiplexing blood analyzers.*****