Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

We propose to develop economically viable genetic diagnostic applications upon extremely inexpensive ""lab on a chip"" (LOC) systems that we have recently demonstrated. A central challenge for genetic diagnostics is not the testing capability itself, but the capability of cost-effective testing. Largely due to high labour and reagent costs, the costs of a genetic diagnostic are typically hundreds to thousands of dollars, with the result that the impact of genomics upon medical care has to date been modest. We have assembled a team with a demonstrated track record in the miniaturization and co-adaptation of technologies for the transfer of flagship medical diagnostics from conventional instrumentation to LOC systems. Our scientific objective is to move standard molecular biology onto a new and inexpensive LOC platfonn technology based on CMOS microelectronic chips - this will require co-adaptation and redesign ofboth the LOC technologies and the molecular biology technologies. Our engineering objective is to show that this can be done in a way that generates a cost savings to the healthcare system, while improving the quality of life of the patients involved. Working with DALSA, a Canadian world leader in this arena, this project would generate a new technology for LOC use and place our healthcare partners in the vanguard of demonstrating the powerful benefits of these new technologies, while providing a market opportunity for our industrial partner.