Grant: Alliance Grants

Diagnostics play a crucial role within the healthcare system, as the timely and precise identification of disease markers is vital for minimizing transmission and achieving effective treatments. Leveraging Dr. Dae Kun Hwang's prior research, Dr. Hwang has developed a swift and simultaneous multiplexed immunoassay microfludic platform utilizing a hydrogel membrane to tackle this critical issue. This microfluidic platform developed by Dr. Hwang will detect and quantify various biomarkers concurrently in a single blood sample, requiring smaller volumes required because of the inherent nature of microfluidics. This detection process can be easily automated and is cost-effective. These advantages will significantly reduce testing and detection time. However, this hydrogel membrane microfluidic platform suffers from low sensitivity compared to highly ultra-sensitive detection devices, such as electrospray mass spectrometry.Via the proposed international collaboration with Dr. Park Jongnam's research team, Dr. Hwang will incorporate quantum beads (QBs), synthesized by Dr. Park's team, into the hydrogel detection to overcome the low sensitivity limitation. This QB incorporation will significantly enhance the detection signals of target biomolecules. Dr. Park's and Dr. Hwang's research teams will investigate investigate the effects of QB size, ligand type and concentration on signal enhancement. Dr. Hwang's innovative and versatile biomedical tools will allow him to improve the quality of healthcare and wellbeing on a large scale.