Centrifugal microfluidic lateral flow immunoassays for rapid inflammation diagnostics in veterinary medicine (acronym: CentriPhase Transfer)

• Applicants: Dr. Jan Heise; Professor Dr.-Ing. Nils Paust
• Subject Area: Veterinary Medical Science
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 533092356

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) are an extremely well-established technology (e.g. SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic) to detect the presence of a molecule in a qualitative way. However, in many applications, for example in determining the severity of an inflammation, there is a need to precisely quantity the analytes in a sample as quickly as possible at the point of need. In a previous project CentriPhase, we developed a technology, which greatly extends the functionality of LFIAs to the extent that the analytes can be rapidly quantified with high sensitivity over a very large dynamic range. Unlike standard LFIAs, where capillary forces - which vary depending e.g. on the degree of filling or the local porosity - transport the flow through the test strip, the CentriPhase technology uses centrifugal forces. The test strip rotates around a center of rotation and the sample to be analyzed is transported through the test strip using microfluidic operations. Centrifugal microfluidic flow control makes the flow independent of the wetting properties and the viscosity of the sample. Because the contact time of the sample with the reactive surface always remains the same, the analysis procedure becomes robust. In addition, the CentriPhase technology enables clinically particularly relevant, highly elevated concentrations of inflammatory markers to be detected within as little as 30 seconds. The logical next step is to conduct research on reproducibility in larger test series under conditions of cost-effective mass production and thus transfer this technology to industry. This is precisely where the CentriPhase Transfer project comes in. Research is to be conducted into the integration of the porous test strip, the heart of the LFIAs, into the microfluidic cartridge. Processes will be developed that can be used to build and test cartridges in a standardized manner. The focus here is on minimizing manufacturing-related variations that can lead to deviating quantitative values of the analysis. The transfer partner LABOKLIN defined the application scenario of this project. The goal is to quantify a set of canine biomarkers for infection, anemia or tumors to allow early detection and rapid differentiation of a suspected inflammatory reaction in veterinary diagnostics. For this purpose, suitable assays as well as a device have to be developed, which performs this test in an automated and robust manner.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants (Transfer Project)
• Application Partner: LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG; Labor für klinische Diagnostik