I-Corps: Ultrasensitive Fluorescence Biosensing Platforms for Diagnostics and Molecular Imaging

临床医生和研究人员通常使用单分子实验和基于平板阅读器的分析来确定感兴趣的分子或物质的浓度或行为。目前，研究人员利用信号增强衬底和昂贵的成像系统，如全内反射显微镜(TIR)来获得更好的图像质量和更低的检测下限。临床医生使用诊断和检测试剂盒进行患者诊断，这些试剂盒利用新兴技术提供检测极限更低、分析时间更快的试剂盒。通常，这些检测需要训练有素的技术人员、昂贵的设备和良好的基础设施才能进行操作。这个i-Corps团队正在开发一种平台，该平台可以适应当前使用的设备，并通过增强荧光信号来提供更好的性能。这一高性能平台有望通过最终集成到智能手机中来创建护理点系统，从而大幅减轻基础设施和昂贵设备的负担。由于等离子体和荧光团的相互作用，等离子栅极大地增强了荧光信号。格栅的廉价制造方法利用了CD、DVD和HD-DVD形式的商业可用母模。由于荧光增强，实现了低检测下限和高信噪比。该团队设想了三种产品：印有栅格的幻灯片、微孔板和与智能手机集成的平台。I-Corps的赠款将提供有价值的信息和培训，说明将这种等离子光栅技术引入工业和临床市场所需的条件。在项目期间，团队将更好地了解市场需求，从而获得更好的产品设计。通过i-Corps计划获得的知识和经验将通过会议和演讲与其他潜在的企业家和学生分享。这些活动将把知识和经验传播给密苏里大学其他潜在的企业家领袖以及周围社区。

Clinicians and researchers routinely use single molecule experiments and plate reader based assays to determine the concentration or behavior of a molecule or substance of interest. Currently, researchers utilize signal enhancing substrates and expensive imaging systems such as total internal reflection microscopes (TIR) to obtain better image quality and lower detection limits. Clinicians perform patient diagnostics using diagnostic and test kits which utilize emerging technologies to provide kits with lower detection limits and faster assay times. Typically, these assays require well-trained technicians, expensive equipment and good infrastructure in which to operate. This I-Corps team is developing a platform that can be adapted to the currently used equipment and provide much better performance by enhancing fluorescence signals. This high performance platform is expected to reduce the burden of infrastructure and expensive equipment significantly by eventually being integrated into smartphones to create a point-of-care system.Plasmonic gratings greatly enhance fluorescent signal due to interaction of plasmons and fluorophores. The inexpensive fabrication method of the gratings take advantage of commercially available master molds in the form of CDs, DVDs, and HD-DVDs. Due to the fluorescence enhancement, low detection limit and high signal-to-noise have been achieved. This team envisions three products, slides printed with gratings, microwell plates, and platforms integrated with a smartphone. The I-Corps grant will provide valuable information and training about what is needed to bring this plasmonic grating technology to industrial and clinical markets. During the project, the team will have better understanding of market needs leading to better product designs. The knowledge and experience gained through I-Corps program will be shared with other potential entrepreneurs and students through meetings and presentations. These activities would spread the knowledge and experience to other potential entrepreneur leaders at the University of Missouri as well as surrounding communities.