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In this work a biomimetic sensor based on the heat-transfer method(HTM) and molecularly imprinted polymers(MIPs) has been developed as a paper-based lab-on-chip device. These microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) are considerably smaller, faster and cheaper compared to its lab-sized predecessors. They can be used, disposed after usage and easily replaced for a new test without the requirement of expensive equipment. This makes it the ideal sensor for detecting molecules in point-of-care testing. This work is funded by the BIOMAT project which is carried out under Interreg V-A grensregio Vlaanderen - Nederland and is supported by the European Union and The European Regional Development Fund and with financial support of province of Limburg - Belgium.

The Heat-Transfer Method (HTM) is a promising transducing technique capable of performing a broad range of bioanalytical tasks. To demonstrate the capabilities of the sensor, experiments on the detection of Bisphenol A (BPA) in a buffer solution have been executed. Hereby bulk polymerized Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) have been used as the biomimetic receptor.

A biomimetic sensor platform capable of performing electrochemical measurements for the detection of molecules was developed by incorporating molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) into microfluidic paper-based analytical devices(µPADs). The usage of µPADs in combination with electrochemical measurements vastly improves several parameters compared to lab-sized electrochemical setups. Interdigitated electrodes were utilized, this way no top electrode is needed. The amplitude of the impedance was monitored and a complete impedance spectrum was measured continuously. The combination of low-cost, disposable paper-based microfluidics and electrochemical read-out, make an ideal point-of-care application. This work is funded by the BIOMAT project which is carried out under Interreg V-A grensregio Vlaanderen - Nederland and is supported by the European Union and The European Regional Development Fund and with financial support of province of Limburg - Belgium.

A biomimetic paper-based lab-on-chip device based on the heat transfer method(HTM) was developed. This work applied molecularly imprinted polymers(MIPs) as a biomimetic functional interface. In order to deliver the sample to the functional interface an optimal wick design is needed. Several designs were tested to determine the flow rate, flow duration and amount of volume needed. HTM and camera recording were used to acquire test results. The final wick design allows for easy integration of the biomimetic layer. The paper-based lab-on-chip will allow the rapid on-site testing of potentially polluted fluids. Special Research Funds BOF of Hasselt University.

The transient plane source technique was used to achieve the miniaturisation and optimisation of the HTM sensors. Different designs and substrates have been tested to optimise the thermal conductivity, diffusivity and distribution. The efficiency of the planar heaters as a platform for biosensors were tested with milk, containing varying amounts of fat content. The transient plane source technique can be the first step towards a ready-to-market product based on HTM. This work was financed by the Special Research Funds BOF of Hasselt University.

In an urge to fulfill the increasing demand for reliable economical biosensor readout techniques, researchers at IMO-IMOMEC developed the Heat-Transfer Method. With this method it is possible to perform bioanalytical tasks by closely monitoring heat transfer trough a detection layer. The original sensor design uses thermocouples and a separate resistive heater. In order to miniaturize and optimize the HTM setup, a new sensor design based on the transient plane source(TPS) technique was proposed. The transient plane source technique has been accepted as an ISO standard (ISO/DIS 220072.2). The TPS technique allows in plane sensing and heating. The heat transfer method is a label free method and the samples do not require pretreatment or extra reagents. This work was financed by the Special Research Funds BOF of Hasselt University.

Microplates have become a standard tool in the pharmaceutical industry and academia for a broad range of screening assays. One of the most commonly performed assays is the cell proliferation assay, which is often used for the purpose of drug discovery. Microplate readers play a crucial role in this field, as they enable high-throughput testing of large sample numbers. Common drawbacks of the most popular plate reader technologies are that they are end-point-based and most often require the use of detection reagents. As a solution, with this work, we aim to expand the possibilities of real-time and label-free monitoring of cell proliferation inside a microplate format by introducing a novel thermal-based sensing approach. For this purpose, we have developed thin-film sensors that can easily be integrated into the bottom of standard 96-well plates. First, the accuracy and precision of the sensors for measuring temperature and thermal effusivity are assessed via characterization experiments. These experiments highlight the fast response of the sensors to changes in temperature and thermal effusivity, as well as the excellent reproducibility between different sensors. Later, proof-of-principle measurements were performed on the proliferation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The proliferation measurements show that the thermal sensors were able to simultaneously detect relative changes in cell number as well as changes in metabolic activity. This dual functionality makes the presented sensor technology a promising candidate for monitoring microplate assays.