Biosensing technology is advancing toward a new era of higher sensitivity and real-time capabilities. Led by Director Pei-Kuen Wei at the Research Center for Applied Sciences of Academia Sinica, the research team has successfully developed a "non-labeled biosensor chip and its high-throughput detection technology," bringing revolutionary breakthroughs to fields such as biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and environmental monitoring.
Traditional biosensing techniques typically require fluorescent or radioactive labels to track molecular interactions. However, these methods are not only time-consuming and costly but may also affect the natural behavior of the molecules themselves. Non-labeled technology, on the other hand, enables real-time and direct observation of biological interactions without the impact of labels, significantly improving detection accuracy.
Innovative Technological Advantages: Dual Breakthrough in High Sensitivity and High Throughput Detection
The research team utilized nanostructure surface plasmon resonance (NSPR) technology to develop a patented nanoplasmonic biosensor chip, equipped with unique plasmonic imaging technology to provide higher sensitivity and higher throughput detection solutions. Compared to expensive commercial detection instruments, this technology is not only cost-competitive but also significantly reduces biosensing costs, which is expected to drive the widespread adoption of related applications.
The core advantage of this technology lies in its "high sensitivity" and "high throughput" detection capabilities. Through the design of patented metallic nanostructures, the optical signal sensitivity is effectively enhanced, giving it superior detection abilities. In addition, the patented imaging technology developed by the team uses spectral contrast methods, making the detection results more stable and less affected by background interference.
Currently, commercial SPR instruments typically offer low-throughput detection (with only 2-8 channels) and are expensive, often costing millions of NT dollars. In contrast, this innovative technology can achieve high-throughput detection with 25-384 channels and can be expanded to 1,536 channels, significantly improving detection efficiency. Furthermore, by using plastic injection molding technology for chip mass production, the cost is reduced to one-tenth of existing market products, making it affordable for general laboratories.
This technology can be applied to various fields, including drug screening, personalized medicine, environmental monitoring, and food safety. For example, in drug development, it can be used to observe drug-receptor interactions in real-time, improving the efficiency of new drug development. In environmental monitoring, it can rapidly detect pollutants in water or air. These applications demonstrate the broad market potential of this technology.
Towards Industrialization, Driving Market Applications
Director Pei-Kuen Wei stated that the team's technology not only improves the accuracy and efficiency of biosensing but also significantly reduces costs, allowing more laboratories and companies to benefit. In the future, they plan to establish a dedicated company to manufacture and promote nanoplasmonic chips, collaborating with domestic and international optical and biotechnology industries to further expand the application market. The research team has already partnered with a domestic injection molding manufacturer to mass-produce biosensor chips and plans to work with optical scanner companies to develop imaging reading systems. Additionally, technology licensing and commercialization partnerships are actively underway, with plans to expand into global markets. As the global non-labeled testing market continues to grow, this technology will become a key driving force in high-throughput detection and bring new breakthroughs to the fields of biomedicine and precision medicine.
Resource: 免標定生物感測晶片檢測更高效 助攻個人化醫療與新藥開發
