Electrochemical Analyser Microchip with Monolithic integration of Nanoelectrode Array and Instrumentation

半导体技术的惊人进步，从晶体管的发明到在不到60年的时间里将数十亿个晶体管集成在一个微型芯片上，是任何其他人造技术都无法比拟的。这彻底改变了我们从外部世界接收信息的成本，数量和速率（即通过无线电系统，电视，智能手机等的进步）。然而，几十年来，我们接收有关自己和健康信息的方式一直保持不变：血液检测，如果由全科医生开处方，它可以提供我们身体状况的快照。连续，非侵入性测量生命参数（具体地，化学生物标志物）可以解决个性化治疗、闭环药物剂量、感染的早期检测以及监测和管理疼痛和慢性健康状况。广泛的分子成分，包括酶，激素和抗体，通常通过侵入性血液检测发现，准确地反映在其他体液中，如唾液和汗液。然而，由于缺乏合适的分析技术，非血液生物流体在实时反映个人健康状况方面的潜力尚未获得。在此应用中，我们提出了一个雄心勃勃的计划，以创建一个基于半导体技术的核心分析仪系统，该系统具有可扩展性，低成本，持久性和自主性。特别是，我们将开发创新的工艺来制造一种微系统，用于实时和连续测量各种生物分子，如唾液中疼痛的化学生物标志物。这需要在电化学传感器和微电子学这两个同源学科中超越最先进水平的关键技术进步。该项目的结果可以转移到临床实践中，以改善诊断并实现闭环疼痛治疗，从而可能提高生活质量。

The phenomenal progress of semiconductor technology from the invention of the transistor to the integration of billions of transistors on a tiny microchip in less than 60 years, is unequalled by any other man-made technology. This has revolutionized the cost, amount and rate by which we receive information from the outside world (i.e. through advances in radio systems, television, smartphones, etc.). However, the way we receive information about ourselves and our health has remained the same over decades: blood test, which provides a snapshot of our body's condition, if and when prescribed by a GP.Continuous, non-invasive measurement of vital parameters (specifically, chemical biomarkers) in the human body could address unmet clinical needs in personalized therapy, closed-loop drug dosage, early detection of infection, and monitoring and management of pain and chronic health conditions. A wide range of molecular components, including enzymes, hormones, and antibodies commonly found via invasive blood testing are accurately reflected in other body fluids such as saliva and sweat. However, the potential of non-blood biofluids in reflecting an individual's health condition in real-time has not been harvested yet because of the absence of a suitable analysis technology. In this application, we propose an ambitious programme to create a core analyser system based on semiconductor technology that is scalable, low-cost, long-lasting, and autonomous. In particular, we will develop innovative processes to manufacture a microsystem for the real-time and continuous measurement of a variety of biomolecules such as chemical biomarkers of pain in saliva. This requires key technological advances beyond state-of-the-art in two cognate disciplines of electrochemical sensors and microelectronics. The outcome of this project can be transferred to the clinical practice to improve diagnostic and enable closed loop pain therapy potentially leading to a better quality of life.