Microsystems for drug development and diagnostics

We have developed new silicon and glass based microanalytical devices for cell based and molecular assays. The target has been to increase the throughput and quality of the screening assays performed today in 96- or 384-well microtitration plates into much higher densities. The integrated electronics and microfluidistic devices allow, e.g. ion-channel measurements coupled with cell phenotype measurements. A future goal of these micro-scale devices made on glass or silicone is to develop processes which are applicable for mass production by roll-to-roll printing. Roll-to-roll printing technology will allow for a drastic reduction in price and increase in speed which are necessities for large-scale utilisation of biochips in applications, e.g. in diagnostics and drug development. The challenges of this technology lie, e.g. in creating multilayered structures with features in the range of tens of micrometers. The technology development is part of VTT's strategic research activities in the field of intelligent printing.