The Cyprus Research and Innovation Centre (CyRIC) has reached a significant milestone in the development of its diagnostic platform with the successful delivery of the first integrated prototype of the MultiLab project. This initiative operates under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and represents a leap forward in low-cost diagnostics and environmental monitoring.
Diagnostic platform: Innovative Optical Lab-on-Chip Design
The newly developed platform incorporates a modular, multi-modal optical lab-on-chip system, designed to facilitate a wide range of diagnostic applications. The prototype combines optics, microfluidics, and data intelligence into a compact, functional unit, marking the transition from component-level research to a fully integrated system.
Cutting-Edge Photonic Sensing Technologies
CyRIC highlighted that this prototype is unique due to its integration of three advanced photonic sensing technologies, all operating under a shared optical readout system. These technologies include:
- Electrochemiluminescence (ECL): This method detects biochemical targets by measuring the visible light emitted over time.
- Plasmonic Augmented Arrayed Waveguide Grating (PA-AWG): Utilising nanophotonic interferometry at a wavelength of 1550 nm, this technology senses molecular and microbial interactions.
- Photothermal Spectroscopy (PTS-MZI): This component identifies environmental nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphates, by measuring mid-infrared absorption.
Hybrid Optical Readout Architecture
The first version of the integrated instrument features a hybrid optical readout architecture that combines visible (VIS), short-wave infrared (SWIR), and mid-infrared (MIR) imaging within a single modular unit. This innovative design is complemented by custom-designed microfluidics made from PDMS/COC materials, ensuring stable and leak-free operation through the new MultiMEC mechanical clamping system.
Precision Fluid Handling and User Interface
Fluid handling is a critical aspect of the MultiLab platform. It is managed by a syringe-based Sample Delivery Subsystem that allows for high-precision fluid handling, with capabilities ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mL and a flow rate of 100 to 4300 µL/min. The system also includes a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) that enhances the operational experience.
Real-Time Data Acquisition
Further enhancing the platform’s capabilities, an embedded System-on-Module allows for real-time acquisition and synchronisation of various components, including cameras, light sources, and electrochemical triggers. This feature paves the way for future cloud-based data analytics, enabling more sophisticated diagnostics and monitoring.
Applications for Environmental Monitoring and Healthcare
The prototype will be showcased across two key application areas. The first is an environmental case study focusing on the early warning of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), which is crucial for water quality monitoring. The second application is in healthcare, targeting the rapid diagnosis of Fever Without an Apparent Source, which is essential for distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections.
Next Steps for the MultiLab Project
With this integration milestone achieved, the MultiLab project is set to enter the validation and optimisation phase. CyRIC aims to refine the optical performance of the platform and establish direct data communication with the MultiLab Cloud platform. This next phase is vital for ensuring the system’s reliability and effectiveness in real-world applications.
Collaboration and Funding
The MultiLab project, which was launched on January 1, 2024, is expected to run for four years. It is funded by the European Union and involves collaboration with various partners across Europe. These include organisations from Cyprus, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Austria, Ireland, and Switzerland, all contributing their expertise to advance this innovative diagnostic platform.
As the project progresses, stakeholders remain optimistic about the potential of the MultiLab diagnostic platform to revolutionise both environmental monitoring and healthcare diagnostics.
