Meet up with Professor Yang Yu-Hsiung
To gain a deeper understanding of biochip operations, we consulted with Professor Yang Yu-Hsiung and shared our ideas with him. After reviewing our plan, he provided valuable feedback and raised several questions.
1. Why not utilize existing biomarkers?
2. The size difference between E. coli and proteins, along with their low concentration, may complicate detection.
In response to the first question, we aim to validate the disease using multiple methods. Therefore, we are not only employing new technologies for detection but also testing additional biomarkers. If we later have the opportunity to utilize existing materials, it could enhance the credibility of our results. The second question presents a challenge that we are also striving to address. The professor recommended using microfluidics and semiconductor design to improve accuracy and facilitate multi-zone reactions. However, since this approach diverges from the detection method we initially planned, we decided against adopting it.
Meeting with Professor Chao-Min Cheng
During our meeting with Professor Chao-Min Cheng from National Tsing Hua University, we began by presenting our project. After listening, the professor provided several immediate suggestions:
1. He advised against using Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAM) for coating due to their lack of stability.
2. He recommended using Poly-L-lysine as the coating layer on the chip to create a negatively charged surface.
3. He suggested that we measure impedance instead of current, as it tends to be more stable.
Additionally, the professor recommended that we first establish a calibration curve during our measurements to help guide our subsequent experiments.
The explore to ApexBio
To explore the market for diagnostic devices across various fields and discuss future product launch plans, we visited ApexBio, a company specializing in the detection of blood glucose and other metabolic diseases. We were informed by their staff about the challenges involved in bringing a diagnostic device to market, which include functional testing and meeting regulatory standards set by different countries’ pharmaceutical laws. We also shared our ideas with the company’s staff, seeking their insights on the potential market launch of our product. They suggested that we target healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, and design a device that is both fast and easy to operate, enabling them to quickly determine whether a patient has a specific condition.
Discussion with Jinhoo Tech
Jinhoo Tech primarily manufactures blood glucose meters for pets. The brand's founder enthusiastically shared the product development process with us, detailing the various stages from research and development to production. They also explained how their test strips generate signals, which provided us with a deeper understanding of signal detection in diagnostic devices.
Visit to BiOPTiK
BiOPTiK, a company specializing in the manufacture of blood glucose meters and other electrochemical detection instruments, also produces the test strips used with these devices. They introduced us to the principles of detection and the steps involved in producing the test strips, and they provided us with a tour of the production process. During this visit, we gained a deeper understanding of the practical aspects of product launch, including insights into legal requirements, costs, packaging, and the future of detection technology.
BiOPTiK’s presentation.
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