Rapid and Inexpensive Biochip Based Allergy Testing

描述（由申请人提供）：在这个二期项目中，GenTel BioSurfaces提议创建并验证一种基于生物芯片的测试，用于快速和廉价地诊断常见的呼吸道过敏。该装置需要大约10微升的血液，很容易从一个简单的手指棒中获得，这将显著减少与标准皮肤点刺试验相关的患者不适。在第一阶段，优化的表面和阻断化学物质可以检测和定量人血清中1ng/uL的过敏原特异性IgE。该测试需要大约一个小时才能完成，并在标准显微镜载玻片格式上使用集成微流体。第二阶段的支持将允许创造一种生物芯片，能够从一分钟的全血中检测和量化22种常见呼吸道过敏的IgE抗体（基于威斯康星大学的皮肤刺破面板）。原型设备将交付给合作医生进行测试，并与使用传统技术的结果进行比较。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): For this Phase II project, GenTel BioSurfaces proposes to create and validate a biochip-based test for the rapid and inexpensive diagnosis of common respiratory allergies. The proposed device requires approximately 10 microliters of blood, easily obtained from a simple finger stick, which will significantly reduce patient discomfort associated with standard skin prick tests. In Phase I, optimized surface and blocking chemistries allowed the detection and quantification of 1ng/uL of allergen specific IgE in human serum. The test required approximately one hour to complete and used integrated microfluidics on a standard microscope slide format. Phase II support will allow the creation of a biochip capable of detecting and quantifying IgE antibodies to 22 common respiratory allergies (based on the University of Wisconsin's skin prick panel) from a minute volume of whole blood. The prototype devices will be delivered to collaborating physicians for testing and comparison with results using conventional techniques. Type I allergy is an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity disease affecting more than 25% of the population, of which more than 17 million are tested annually. Because many patients are uncomfortable with venipuncture or multiple needle sticks required for in vitro or in vivo tests, a simple diagnostic test requiring only a small amount of blood (from a simple finger stick) is highly desirable. Current clinical methods for in vitro allergy testing such as RAST require patients to provide a sizeable amount of blood, require a skilled technician to complete and have a slow turnaround time for results. In vivo techniques, such as skin prick tests require multiple needle sticks which many patients find uncomfortable, particularly if an allergic reaction results. Furthermore, primary care physicians routinely refer patients to allergy specialists for these in vivo skin sensitivity tests, which add significant expense and difficulty to both patients and doctors. The goal of the Phase II project is to develop a allergy biochip that is capable of providing accurate results rapidly with little patient discomfort.