Organic electronics developed for multi-detection diagnostic device

Dan Rogers - 03 Mar 2010

A new European-funded project is bringing together organic electronics and medical testing to create a multi-detection, single-use device.

The Bioegofet project ('Electrolyte-Gated Organic Field-Effect Biosensors') began in February 2010 to create an organic electronic transistor that can detect biological markers. The €2.37 million project will create an organic electronic transistor that detects biological markers in a liquid sample placed on the substrate and process the information in an electrical signal.

The project will finish with a proof of concept in January 2012 that will show that the electronic element of the transistor is not compromised by the biological sample and that the device can be mass-produced on a flexible substrate.

Project coordinator Gilles Horowitz states: 'We have already realised the organic transistor element, but we haven't shown how the electrical signal is modified when put into contact with the recognition system for something like a protein.

'How this is modified is completely unknown, so we'll see in what way the electrical signal is changed in this project.'

Market

Once the device is proven to work as an electrical processor of biological samples, industrial partners will consider how to market the technology.

Horowitz continues: 'An organic semiconductor on a flexible substrate, like a sensor on paper, would be exactly the same as a the system for pregnancy tests, for instance, where it is dipped in liquid like urine or blood and biological markers are read.

'This could be used for a quick test in a doctor's office, and could also be used at home for simple tests.'

Finnish project partner Ani Biotech, a producer of disposable tests for fertility, heart conditions and infectious diseases could follow up the project with a test tailored to the new technology, such as HIV.

Biosensor

The combination of biosensor and electronics means multiple markers could be sought by a single device and results presented for any detected viruses or bacteria.

Horowitz explains: 'For a large array of tests, it is better to have an electrical, not an optical signal.'

And the electronics on the device may even help amplify the signal and increase the detection limits of a product.

Swedish flexible electronics producer Acreo is providing support for the development of plastic electronic device production, which will need to be proven before the project closes.

Horowitz says: 'The first issue we will be working on is how to attach the biosensing element to the semiconductor, which may create a chemical problem. The second call is to see what effect the presence of the analyte has on the device, which will take the next six months at least. The next stage is to implement the systems with printing techniques.'