2. Miniaturized laboratories – no longer than a fingernail
Similar to microprocessor chips in biology
To perform 100s/1000s of biological reactions.
Screens large number of biological analytes –
DNA/Protein/enzyme/antibody
for disease diagnosis & various other applications
BIOCHIPS
Collection of miniaturized
test sites called
microarrays arranged on a
solid substrate that
permits many tests to be
performed at the same
time to achieve high
throughput and speed
Introduction
3. Components of biochips
1. Transponder – transmits and receives signals;
Has four components : antenna coil,
microchip, glass capsule and a capacitor
2. Reader – consists exciter coil & receiving coil;
receives the signal from the excited biochip
Contd.
4. TYPESOF BIOCHIPS
BIOCHIPS
DNA Microarray
- Set of tiny DNA dots – PROBES – on a strong
surface
- Used to calculate gene expression levels
- Identification is by labelling the probes –
fluorophore/chemiluminescence labelling
Protein Microarray
- Analyse functional proteins and
their levels in the samples
- Support surface : microtitre
plate, nitrocellulose membrane,
glass plate, etc.,
- Needs very less sample
Microfluidic chip
- lab-on-a-chip
- Alternative to conventional
laboratories
- Complex network with
multiple applications
5. Application areas
Pharmaceutical
research – drug
discovery
Medical
diagnostics –
glucose detector,
infection
detection, etc.
Forensics –
identity of
the criminals
– DNA based
Transplantation
– compatibility
testing
between donor
& recipient
Environmental
testing –
contaminants
trace
Application
6. ADVANTAGES
1. Viability of cells is not affected – no
heating up of the transmitter
2. Consumes very less power – 1/10th of
that used in flashlight bulb
3. Can be modulated by bio-membrane
potential
4. They are of vanishingly small size
5. Parallel detection of multiple samples
for diagnosis
6. High speed and accuracy of testing
LIMITATIONS
1. Standardization of assays –
involves high level of accuracy
– interface of the assay and
the instrumentation
2. Mass production of DNA chips
– limited
3. Chip implant – varied
constraints
Important Points
