The announcement of a breakthrough diagnostic tool was presented simultaneously today in Geneva and Singapore. The device, VereFlu, is a miniature diagnostic laboratory on a computer chip that can detect several strains of influenza in as little as two hours. The device is so small and easily transportable that it can be taken to the source of a suspected outbreak, no matter how remote, for use where it is needed the most.

VereFlu, known as a lab-on-chip application, is the result of a joint venture between Veredus Laboratories, a developer of medical diagnostic tools, and STMicroelectronics, a developer of semiconductor solutions in a broad spectrum of microelectronic applications.

Associate Professor Raymond Lin, head of microbiology for the department of laboratory medicine at Singapore’s National University Hospital, describes the device as “a powerful weapon against future influenza pandemics.” Due to the speed, accuracy, and easy transportability of the tiny computerized laboratory, the presence of influenza, including Influenza A, B, and Avian Flu strain H5N1, can be determined in the field by using a single, disposable chip the size of a thumbnail, with results coming in hours instead of the days or weeks required of a typical laboratory. Analysis can be performed using human blood or serum and respiratory swabs. The ease of use also minimizes the risk of cross-contamination that is possible when using conventional laboratory methods.

The success of the VereFlu lab-on-chip device has prompted Veredus Laboratories and STMicrolectronics to develop a joint lab, manned by experts from both companies, to continue the development of biomedical devices using shared technologies. Future projects are likely to include oncology, heart disease markers, and other infectious diseases. The new lab, located at the Science Park in Singapore and dubbed the Bio-Application Lab, will operate under the management of Dr. Rosemary Tan, CEO for Veredus.

Source: ST Microelectronics

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