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Many diseases have their treatment options narrowed and end up being fatal if detected during later stages. As a consequence, point-of-care devices have an increasing importance for routine screening applications in the health sector due to their portability, fast analyses and decreased cost. For that purpose, a multifunctional chip was developed and tested using gold nanoprobes to perform RNA optical detection inside a microfluidic chip without the need of molecular amplification steps. As a proof-of-concept, this device was used for the rapid detection of chronic myeloid leukemia, a hemato-oncological disease that would benefit from early stage diagnostics and screening tests. The chip passively mixed target RNA from samples, gold nanoprobes and saline solution to infer a result from their final colorimetric properties. An optical fiber network was used to evaluate its transmitted spectra inside the chip. Trials provided accurate output results within 3 min, yielding signal-to-noise ratios up to 9 dB. When compared to actual state-of-art screening techniques of chronic myeloid leukemia, these results were, at microscale, at least 10 times faster than the reported detection methods for chronic myeloid leukemia. Concerning point-of-care applications, this work paves the way for other new and more complex versions of optical based genosensors., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE Programme; FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007688, UID/CTM/50025/2013]; project DISERTOX [PTDC/CTM-NAN/2912/2014]; Unidade de Ciencias Biomoleculares Aplicadas - UCIBIO - FCT/MCTES [UID/Multi/04378/2013]; ERDF [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007728, PD/BD/52211/2013]

Many diseases have their treatment options narrowed and end up being fatal if detected during later stages. As a consequence, point-of-care devices have an increasing importance for routine screening applications in the health sector due to their portability, fast analyses and decreased cost. For that purpose, a multifunctional chip was developed and tested using gold nanoprobes to perform RNA optical detection inside a microfluidic chip without the need of molecular amplification steps. As a proof-of-concept, this device was used for the rapid detection of chronic myeloid leukemia, a hemato-oncological disease that would benefit from early stage diagnostics and screening tests. The chip passively mixed target RNA from samples, gold nanoprobes and saline solution to infer a result from their final colorimetric properties. An optical fiber network was used to evaluate its transmitted spectra inside the chip. Trials provided accurate output results within 3 min, yielding signal-to-noise ratios up to 9 dB. When compared to actual state-of-art screening techniques of chronic myeloid leukemia, these results were, at microscale, at least 10 times faster than the reported detection methods for chronic myeloid leukemia. Concerning point-of-care applications, this work paves the way for other new and more complex versions of optical based genosensors., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE Programme; FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007688, UID/CTM/50025/2013]; project DISERTOX [PTDC/CTM-NAN/2912/2014]; Unidade de Ciencias Biomoleculares Aplicadas - UCIBIO - FCT/MCTES [UID/Multi/04378/2013]; ERDF [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007728, PD/BD/52211/2013]

Many diseases have their treatment options narrowed and end up being fatal if detected during later stages. As a consequence, point-of-care devices have an increasing importance for routine screening applications in the health sector due to their portability, fast analyses and decreased cost. For that purpose, a multifunctional chip was developed and tested using gold nanoprobes to perform RNA optical detection inside a microfluidic chip without the need of molecular amplification steps. As a proof-of-concept, this device was used for the rapid detection of chronic myeloid leukemia, a hemato-oncological disease that would benefit from early stage diagnostics and screening tests. The chip passively mixed target RNA from samples, gold nanoprobes and saline solution to infer a result from their final colorimetric properties. An optical fiber network was used to evaluate its transmitted spectra inside the chip. Trials provided accurate output results within 3 min, yielding signal-to-noise ratios up to 9 dB. When compared to actual state-of-art screening techniques of chronic myeloid leukemia, these results were, at microscale, at least 10 times faster than the reported detection methods for chronic myeloid leukemia. Concerning point-of-care applications, this work paves the way for other new and more complex versions of optical based genosensors., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE Programme; FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007688, UID/CTM/50025/2013]; project DISERTOX [PTDC/CTM-NAN/2912/2014]; Unidade de Ciencias Biomoleculares Aplicadas - UCIBIO - FCT/MCTES [UID/Multi/04378/2013]; ERDF [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007728, PD/BD/52211/2013]

Many diseases have their treatment options narrowed and end up being fatal if detected during later stages. As a consequence, point-of-care devices have an increasing importance for routine screening applications in the health sector due to their portability, fast analyses and decreased cost. For that purpose, a multifunctional chip was developed and tested using gold nanoprobes to perform RNA optical detection inside a microfluidic chip without the need of molecular amplification steps. As a proof-of-concept, this device was used for the rapid detection of chronic myeloid leukemia, a hemato-oncological disease that would benefit from early stage diagnostics and screening tests. The chip passively mixed target RNA from samples, gold nanoprobes and saline solution to infer a result from their final colorimetric properties. An optical fiber network was used to evaluate its transmitted spectra inside the chip. Trials provided accurate output results within 3 min, yielding signal-to-noise ratios up to 9 dB. When compared to actual state-of-art screening techniques of chronic myeloid leukemia, these results were, at microscale, at least 10 times faster than the reported detection methods for chronic myeloid leukemia. Concerning point-of-care applications, this work paves the way for other new and more complex versions of optical based genosensors., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE Programme; FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007688, UID/CTM/50025/2013]; project DISERTOX [PTDC/CTM-NAN/2912/2014]; Unidade de Ciencias Biomoleculares Aplicadas - UCIBIO - FCT/MCTES [UID/Multi/04378/2013]; ERDF [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007728, PD/BD/52211/2013]

Many diseases have their treatment options narrowed and end up being fatal if detected during later stages. As a consequence, point-of-care devices have an increasing importance for routine screening applications in the health sector due to their portability, fast analyses and decreased cost. For that purpose, a multifunctional chip was developed and tested using gold nanoprobes to perform RNA optical detection inside a microfluidic chip without the need of molecular amplification steps. As a proof-of-concept, this device was used for the rapid detection of chronic myeloid leukemia, a hemato-oncological disease that would benefit from early stage diagnostics and screening tests. The chip passively mixed target RNA from samples, gold nanoprobes and saline solution to infer a result from their final colorimetric properties. An optical fiber network was used to evaluate its transmitted spectra inside the chip. Trials provided accurate output results within 3 min, yielding signal-to-noise ratios up to 9 dB. When compared to actual state-of-art screening techniques of chronic myeloid leukemia, these results were, at microscale, at least 10 times faster than the reported detection methods for chronic myeloid leukemia. Concerning point-of-care applications, this work paves the way for other new and more complex versions of optical based genosensors., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE Programme; FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007688, UID/CTM/50025/2013]; project DISERTOX [PTDC/CTM-NAN/2912/2014]; Unidade de Ciencias Biomoleculares Aplicadas - UCIBIO - FCT/MCTES [UID/Multi/04378/2013]; ERDF [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007728, PD/BD/52211/2013]

Many diseases have their treatment options narrowed and end up being fatal if detected during later stages. As a consequence, point-of-care devices have an increasing importance for routine screening applications in the health sector due to their portability, fast analyses and decreased cost. For that purpose, a multifunctional chip was developed and tested using gold nanoprobes to perform RNA optical detection inside a microfluidic chip without the need of molecular amplification steps. As a proof-of-concept, this device was used for the rapid detection of chronic myeloid leukemia, a hemato-oncological disease that would benefit from early stage diagnostics and screening tests. The chip passively mixed target RNA from samples, gold nanoprobes and saline solution to infer a result from their final colorimetric properties. An optical fiber network was used to evaluate its transmitted spectra inside the chip. Trials provided accurate output results within 3 min, yielding signal-to-noise ratios up to 9 dB. When compared to actual state-of-art screening techniques of chronic myeloid leukemia, these results were, at microscale, at least 10 times faster than the reported detection methods for chronic myeloid leukemia. Concerning point-of-care applications, this work paves the way for other new and more complex versions of optical based genosensors., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE Programme; FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007688, UID/CTM/50025/2013]; project DISERTOX [PTDC/CTM-NAN/2912/2014]; Unidade de Ciencias Biomoleculares Aplicadas - UCIBIO - FCT/MCTES [UID/Multi/04378/2013]; ERDF [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007728, PD/BD/52211/2013]

This paper describes the development of a novel microfluidic platform for multifactorial analysis integrating four label-free detection methods: electrical impedance, refractometry, optical absorption and fluorescence. We present the rationale for the design and the details of the microfabrication of this multifactorial hybrid microfluidic chip. The structure of the platform consists of a three-dimensionally patterned polydimethylsiloxane top part attached to a bottom SU-8 epoxy-based negative photoresist part, where microelectrodes and optical fibers are incorporated to enable impedance and optical analysis. As a proof of concept, the chip functions have been tested and explored, enabling a diversity of applications: (i) impedance-based identification of the size of micro beads, as well as counting and distinguishing of erythrocytes by their volume or membrane properties; (ii) simultaneous determination of the refractive index and optical absorption properties of solutions; and (iii) fluorescence-based bead counting., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme; National Funds through Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) [UID/CTM/50025/2013, PTDC/SAU-BEB/102247/2008]; project "Project" NanoSTIMA: Macro-to-Nano Human Sensing: Towards Integrated Multimodal Health Monitoring and Analytics - North Portugal Regional Operational Programme [NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000016]; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); North Portugal Regional Operational Program under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) [NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000058]; national funds, through the Portuguese funding agency, FCT

This paper describes the development of a novel microfluidic platform for multifactorial analysis integrating four label-free detection methods: electrical impedance, refractometry, optical absorption and fluorescence. We present the rationale for the design and the details of the microfabrication of this multifactorial hybrid microfluidic chip. The structure of the platform consists of a three-dimensionally patterned polydimethylsiloxane top part attached to a bottom SU-8 epoxy-based negative photoresist part, where microelectrodes and optical fibers are incorporated to enable impedance and optical analysis. As a proof of concept, the chip functions have been tested and explored, enabling a diversity of applications: (i) impedance-based identification of the size of micro beads, as well as counting and distinguishing of erythrocytes by their volume or membrane properties; (ii) simultaneous determination of the refractive index and optical absorption properties of solutions; and (iii) fluorescence-based bead counting., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme; National Funds through Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) [UID/CTM/50025/2013, PTDC/SAU-BEB/102247/2008]; project "Project" NanoSTIMA: Macro-to-Nano Human Sensing: Towards Integrated Multimodal Health Monitoring and Analytics - North Portugal Regional Operational Programme [NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000016]; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); North Portugal Regional Operational Program under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) [NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000058]; national funds, through the Portuguese funding agency, FCT

This paper describes the development of a novel microfluidic platform for multifactorial analysis integrating four label-free detection methods: electrical impedance, refractometry, optical absorption and fluorescence. We present the rationale for the design and the details of the microfabrication of this multifactorial hybrid microfluidic chip. The structure of the platform consists of a three-dimensionally patterned polydimethylsiloxane top part attached to a bottom SU-8 epoxy-based negative photoresist part, where microelectrodes and optical fibers are incorporated to enable impedance and optical analysis. As a proof of concept, the chip functions have been tested and explored, enabling a diversity of applications: (i) impedance-based identification of the size of micro beads, as well as counting and distinguishing of erythrocytes by their volume or membrane properties; (ii) simultaneous determination of the refractive index and optical absorption properties of solutions; and (iii) fluorescence-based bead counting., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme; National Funds through Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) [UID/CTM/50025/2013, PTDC/SAU-BEB/102247/2008]; project "Project" NanoSTIMA: Macro-to-Nano Human Sensing: Towards Integrated Multimodal Health Monitoring and Analytics - North Portugal Regional Operational Programme [NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000016]; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); North Portugal Regional Operational Program under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) [NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000058]; national funds, through the Portuguese funding agency, FCT

This paper describes the development of a novel microfluidic platform for multifactorial analysis integrating four label-free detection methods: electrical impedance, refractometry, optical absorption and fluorescence. We present the rationale for the design and the details of the microfabrication of this multifactorial hybrid microfluidic chip. The structure of the platform consists of a three-dimensionally patterned polydimethylsiloxane top part attached to a bottom SU-8 epoxy-based negative photoresist part, where microelectrodes and optical fibers are incorporated to enable impedance and optical analysis. As a proof of concept, the chip functions have been tested and explored, enabling a diversity of applications: (i) impedance-based identification of the size of micro beads, as well as counting and distinguishing of erythrocytes by their volume or membrane properties; (ii) simultaneous determination of the refractive index and optical absorption properties of solutions; and (iii) fluorescence-based bead counting., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme; National Funds through Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) [UID/CTM/50025/2013, PTDC/SAU-BEB/102247/2008]; project "Project" NanoSTIMA: Macro-to-Nano Human Sensing: Towards Integrated Multimodal Health Monitoring and Analytics - North Portugal Regional Operational Programme [NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000016]; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); North Portugal Regional Operational Program under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) [NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000058]; national funds, through the Portuguese funding agency, FCT

This paper describes the development of a novel microfluidic platform for multifactorial analysis integrating four label-free detection methods: electrical impedance, refractometry, optical absorption and fluorescence. We present the rationale for the design and the details of the microfabrication of this multifactorial hybrid microfluidic chip. The structure of the platform consists of a three-dimensionally patterned polydimethylsiloxane top part attached to a bottom SU-8 epoxy-based negative photoresist part, where microelectrodes and optical fibers are incorporated to enable impedance and optical analysis. As a proof of concept, the chip functions have been tested and explored, enabling a diversity of applications: (i) impedance-based identification of the size of micro beads, as well as counting and distinguishing of erythrocytes by their volume or membrane properties; (ii) simultaneous determination of the refractive index and optical absorption properties of solutions; and (iii) fluorescence-based bead counting., Funding Agencies|FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme; National Funds through Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) [UID/CTM/50025/2013, PTDC/SAU-BEB/102247/2008]; project "Project" NanoSTIMA: Macro-to-Nano Human Sensing: Towards Integrated Multimodal Health Monitoring and Analytics - North Portugal Regional Operational Programme [NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000016]; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); North Portugal Regional Operational Program under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) [NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000058]; national funds, through the Portuguese funding agency, FCT