BioSensing and diagnostics

BioSensing and diagnostics develops rapid assays that can be used on-site – indoors or outdoors – to produce data that provides information about quality and/or safety. The focus is on practical applicability in partnership with the business community, whether it concerns applications in agriculture, the food industry, veterinary practice or healthcare. Some examples of components that can be detected using our assays are:

• Proteins (biomarkers, food allergens, toxins)
• Microorganisms (food pathogens, contaminating bacteria, zoonotic viruses)
• DNA/RNA sequences (pathogens, polluting flora)
• Toxins (mycotoxins)
• Pollutants (antibiotics, pesticides)
• Toxic plasticizers (phthalates)
• High-value components (antimicrobial and antioxidant components)

Diagnostic techniques and methods

Lateral flow assays, similar to a pregnancy test, in which several components (multi-analyte) can also be detected, using both lines and a microarray of spots.

Microarray-ELISA, in which dozens of analytes can be detected in each well; tests are printed on cellulose.

Rapid Nucleic Acid assays, in which the abovementioned diagnostic platforms are used to detect specific DNA/RNA amplicons.

A real-time video reader is used to display the results of the multi-analyte lateral flow assays.

Controlled flow in nitrocellulose membranes is a new technology from Surfix (Wageningen) that creates very small channels and compartments in nitrocellulose. Theoretically, this method increases the sensitivity of lateral flow assays; it is not just possible to determine concentrations, but also to measure enzyme activity,

The Pathway flow cartridge is another technology being developed in partnership with Surfix. It is suitable for rapid, on-site cell detection.

Together with the HAN Applied University in Arnhem a simple and inexpensive system is being developed to continuously measure components (contaminants, quality-determining compounds) or microorganisms (pathogens, contaminating bacteria).

High-throughput screening (HTS) assays to detect activity in biomass residual flows and sidestreams and to control the biorefinery process. Examples are antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and components (e.g. peptides) that inhibit key enzymes in cardiovascular regulation and glucose metabolism.

Easy, user-friendly results

The main advantage of a broad field of application is that successful methods developed for one sector can be easily translated to an application in another sector. This makes for a faster, easier and more user-friendly (more customised) result.

What offers BioSensing and Diagnostics?

• Develop rapid and/or multi-analyte diagnostic platforms, such as lateral flow and microarray methods.
• Advise on specific industrial processing chains, the associated hazards and/or critical control points.
• Provide solutions to quality and/or safety issues, in close consultation with the client.
• Develop or fine-tune diagnostic assays for which the eventual application is leading.
• Implement newly developed diagnostic assays in the workplace together with the client’s personnel.