CMI, in collaboration with Prof. Catherine Klapperich of
Boston University, is developing an integrated lab-on-a-chip
consumable and prototype instrument that automates the
sample preparation for bacteria and viruses from clinical
samples, amplifies the nucleic acid and optically detects
the presence or absence of the target. The plastic
microfluidic chip is approximately the size of a credit
card.
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Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing
Innovation (CMI)
The Fraunhofer
Center for Manufacturing Innovation develops next generation
automation equipment, devices, and instruments for the
photonics, biotech/biomedical, and semiconductor markets.
CMI has significant experience in
developing custom manufacturing solutions. Our scientists
and engineers work closely with clients to develop new
manufacturing processes where non exist, and design and
build specialty manufacturing equipment and systems to
implement these processes.
In 2007, the Boston University -
Fraunhofer Alliance for Medical Devices, Instrumentation,
and Diagnostics was established to accelerate the
process of taking medical innovations from the Laboratory to
the patient point-of-care. The Alliance will leverage
the most promising research innovations in laboratories
throughout Boston University and develop them into working
medical devices and instruments that can be licensed to
existing companies, or deployed through the creation of new
spin-off ventures. Accelerating the development cycle
will have a significant impact on the way clinical medicine
is practiced.
The first two projects undertaken by the
Alliance comprised a "Bleed-to-Read" instrument for
detection of bacterial or viral infections, and an optical
biopsy tool for detecting colon cancer. |
