Fingernail-sized Chip Capable of Detecting Influenza Viruses
Posted on: Monday, 24 March 2008, 13:00 CDT
Semiconductor maker STMicroelectronics announced that it has developed a chip capable of detecting influenza viruses including bird flu in humans.STMicroelectronics joined forces with Veredus to create VereFlu, a chip no larger than a fingernail. ST said it hopes the chip will be effective in preventing against future pandemics.
"ST sees new high growth opportunities in the healthcare market, especially in areas like patient care," said Francois Guibert, STMicro's Asia Pacific chief executive.
Described as a “miniature laboratory on a chip,” VereFlu is the first chip of its kind that allows physicians to identify human strains of Influenza A and B viruses, including the Avian Flu strain H5N1 by inspecting human blood, serum or respiratory swabs.
“We are pleased to report that our evaluation trials show the suitability of the VereFlu diagnostic application for field testing and deployment,” said Associate Professor Raymond Lin, Head of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National University Hospital in Singapore .
“The diagnostic reliability of this novel device makes it a powerful weapon against future influenza pandemics.”
STMicroelectronics and Veredus Laboratories also announced that they have created a joint lab to build upon the screening capabilities of VereFlu. Future applications could include detection of other infectious diseases, oncology and heart disease markers, ST said.
“The combination of Veredus’ diagnostic know-how with ST’s microfluidic lab-on-chip technology has bred the market’s first solution that detects multiple flu viruses at the point of need in a fraction of the time, cost, and complexity of conventional diagnostic systems,” said Gian Luca Bertino, Corporate VP and General Manager of ST’s Computer Peripherals Group.
The joint lab Bio-Application Lab is located at the Science Park in Singapore, and will be managed by Dr. Rosemary Tan, CEO of Veredus.
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Source: redOrbit Staff and Wire Reports
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