Immunology

Based on its recent analysis of the Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) nanodevices market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Ostendum R&D BV (Ostendum) with the 2013 European Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation Leadership. Ostendum is a group of companies focused on the development and production of fast, highly sensitive, portable, easy-to-use and cost-effective biosensors for the instantaneous detection of micro-organisms and biomolecules, including biomarkers, proteins and nucleic acids. The group has successfully created proprietary LOC nanodevices, based on an integral optical technology platform developed by Aurel Ymeti, who is the co-founder and CTO of Ostendum, during his doctoral research that was previously highlighted in Technical Insights of Frost & Sullivan. Ostendum's LOC nanodevices have detection limits that are at least 100 times deeper than currently available LOC devices.

Ostendum's chip has at least four independent sensing channels, one of which is used as the reference channel, while the other three constitute the measurement channels. As the latter three can be used to perform the simultaneous detection of three different analytes, it confers the device multiplexing capabilities. Using Ostendum's technology, one can analyze most complex samples such as full blood or whole milk.

The company has constructed a novel method of measurement, wherein one analyte or class of analytes is detected selectively. It involves the pre-coating of each measurement channel with a unique receptor layer. The receptor, typically an antibody, can specifically bind to one class of micro-organisms or biomolecules, whereas the antigen is specifically bound at the measurement channel. This feature distinguishes the product, enabling the user to pre-coat the LOC system with the desired receptors or use pre-coated disposable LOC systems provided by Ostendum.

"By confining the samples containing the test fluid to the microfluidic inlet of the LOC system, the device offers continuous flow, enabling the monitoring of samples in-line and in real time," said Frost & Sullivan Senior Research Analyst Cecilia Van Cauwenberghe. "It guarantees continuous flow and homogeneity by means of a micro-pump located in such way that the channels are specifically addressed on the chip."

In addition to multiple applications in human healthcare, Ostendum's technology platform is applied in veterinary and plant health, food and beverage, environment and security monitoring. Similarly, LOC devices can be utilized for onsite drinking and waste water analysis, untreated (raw) milk, beverages and food sampling, among many others.