'Desktop biology' to enable point-of-care diagnostic devices

Desktop Biology is a new service that aims to bring biological assays to market in point-of-care diagnostics.

Launched by The Technology Partnership (TTP), a technology and development organisation, Desktop Biology will enable point-of-care diagnostic providers to rapidly convert their biological assay into a market-ready system capable of producing a result in as little as 15 minutes.

The new service provides an accessible and rapid route to market, offering an approach for companies looking to accelerate the development of their assay to a product for use in diagnostics or research.

This platform will enable translation of a customer’s biology to a product on the market. Key to this service is the ability to understand the fundamental steps required to convert lab-based biological processes (for example, sample preparation, labelling and assay measurement) to a functional low-cost disposable and small instrument, according to TTP.

Users of the Desktop Biology service will have access to TTP’s in-house platforms and technologies, which have been designed to translate complex biological assays into low-cost, disposable consumables. For example, one platform enables open-access biology and liquid handling for 30 µL to 2 mL volumes, while another is purpose-built for dealing with complex processes such as small liquid volumes in the range of 10 µL to 200 µL whilst maintaining a low disposable cost.

Desktop Biology customers will also have access to TTP’s novel IP that has been especially developed to address some of the key challenges in the biological arena. This includes technologies that provide benefits for a number of assay steps, including biological and cellular deposition, methods for the rapid lysing of high sample volumes, high speed thermocycling, optical and electronic detection systems, and unique low profile and non- pulsatile pumps for highly controlled liquid movement.

“In recent years, we’ve seen an increased interest in translating processes and instrumentation from the central lab to the researcher’s or clinic’s desktop”, said Dr Giles Sanders at TTP. “We’re confident that this service and related TTP platforms will prove attractive to assay and instrument providers in this emerging market, by providing an accelerated route to manufacture that is augmented by our expertise in product development, engineering and the underlying biology of assay design and development.”