A biochip is a collection of scaled-down microarrays that are arranged on a durable substrate and enable numerous experiments to be run concurrently to achieve high throughput in a short amount of time. Millions of biosensors or other sensor components make up this device. These are not electronic devices, unlike microchips.
Every biochip demonstrates the ability to detect a particular analyte, such as a DNA molecule, an enzyme, a biological molecule, a protein, or an antibody, within its miniature microreactor. This chip’s primary purpose is to carry out hundreds of biological processes in a matter of seconds, such as decoding genes (a sequence of DNA).
A Biochip’s Working System:
The steps listed below are a major part of how a biochip works.
- The operator uses radio waves to create a weak electromagnetic field.
- The reader activates the fixed biochip.
- The reader strengthens the received code, converts it to digital form, and then displays it on an LCD.
- The activated chip sends the operator’s reverse identification code through radio transmissions.
Biochip Components
The transponder and reader are the two parts that make up a biochip.
Reader
A coil called the “exciter” makes up the reader, and using radio signals, it creates an electromagnetic field. It provides the energy needed to turn on the biochip (around 1/1000 of a watt). The reader has a coil that can pick up the ID number or send a code that the stimulated implanted biochip sends back.
Transponder
There are two different types of transponders passive and active. This transponder is passive, meaning it has no internal power source or battery. An antenna coil, a computer microchip, a glass capsule, and a tuning capacitor are the four components that make up this transponder.
- The computer microchip stores a unique identity (UID) number of between 10 and 15 digits.
- The operator can use the little signal, or 1/1000 of a watt, to charge the tuning capacitor.
- The glass capsule houses the biocompatible substance soda lime glass, capacitor, antenna coil, and microprocessor.
Biochip Types
There are three various types of biochips: microfluidic chips, protein microarrays, and DNA microarrays.
Microfluidic Chip
In place of traditional biochemical labs, microfluidic biochips or “labs on a chip” are revolutionizing several applications including molecular biology techniques, DNA analysis, proteomics, the study of proteins, and clinical pathology for disease diagnosis. These chips are becoming more complex due to the utilization of thousands of components, but the physical design of those components, known as a bottom-up, full-custom plan, necessitates a big team.
The DNA microarray
A collection of small DNA patches attached to a durable surface is known as a DNA microarray or DNA biochip. Utilized by a researcher to determine the expression levels of several genes. Every DNA mark consists of picomoles of certain genes, known as probes. These may be a brief section of genetic material in highly rigid circumstances.
Protein Microarray
To track the movements and connections of proteins and determine their large-scale function, researchers employ a protein microarray or protein chip technique. The ability to track several proteins concurrently is the protein microarray’s principal benefit.
This protein chip includes a surface for supporting materials like a glass slide, nitrocellulose membrane, bead, or microtiter plate. In 1983, antibody microarrays of scientific publications featured the first protein chip approach.
Since DNA microarrays are now the most popular microarrays, it was relatively simple to develop the technology behind this chip.
Read Messenger RNA Vaccines.
Advantages of Biochip
- People employ the biochip to treat the ill.
- Biochips help locate the missing.
- Powerful and swift in a very small package.
- In just a few seconds, biochips can carry out thousands of biological processes.
- Individual identification of people is possible using biochips.
Disadvantages of Biochip
- Biochips are pricey.
- The hazardous privacy issues raised by biochips.
- Biochips can be implanted into people’s bodies without causing any disruption.
- The demise of human liberty and self-respect is symbolized by the biochip.
- Everybody will have the possibility of becoming a controlled person.
Biochips Applications
- We can track a person or animal anywhere in the world using this chip.
- This chip is used to save and update a person’s personal information, including financial, demographic, and medical data.
- These chips can successfully restore documents like cash, passports, and medical records.
- The biochip can be used as a glucose detector, oxygen sensor, and blood pressure sensor in the medical industry.
- Biochips provide secure e-commerce platforms
Key Features
Very Accurate Testing
Test results using the biochip array technology are highly accurate, with CVs of less than 10%.
A Smaller Sample Volume
Because fewer samples are needed, patients are more at ease.
A large Test Menu
A broad test menu offers customers variety and flexibility.
- improved diagnosis
- More patient data is accessible thanks to the examination of several indicators.
- Patients get their results more quickly than they would with a conventional diagnosis.
- A Variety of Samples
The BAT allows for the use of several samples, including plasma, urine, serum, whole blood, and many others, allowing for flexibility in their testing.
Biochip Testing Platforms
Evolution of the Evidence
The Evidence Evolution platform fully automates random-access biochip testing. The device makes it possible to run any test at any time because it is a highly versatile analyzer that can handle any workflow. The machine has a quick turnaround time because it can receive 2640 tests every hour. Furthermore, it makes it possible to execute several tests on a single sample, saving time and materials that would normally be required for each test separately.
Evidence
The protein Biochip Array technology is the Evidence Analyzer. The machine is floor-standing and has a maximum hourly capacity of 3690. The device provides features that enable laboratories to get accurate and quick results, such as user-customizable user settings and simple-to-use software.
Investigator for Evidence
Testing for research, molecular, forensic, therapeutic, and veterinary purposes frequently uses the Evidence Investigator. With 44 analytes examined per biochip, this system can perform 2376 tests per hour and has a rapid turnaround time. The evidence investigator expands the test menu with more tests, allowing for variety.
Multi STAT Evidence
The Evidence Multi STAT is the last platform. A fully automatic analyzer with good results is the Evidence Multi STAT. It is a straightforward analyzer that only requires three steps to complete the procedure and little training. In less than 10 minutes, the device may produce up to 46 results via multiplex testing.
