Gelisim News

Engineers at Marmara University and Istanbul Gelisim University have moved to the experimental phase of the acoustic-based microchip project to be used in RNA isolation, which they have been working on for 2 years. Thanks to the microchip, many diseases, especially blood poisoning (sepsis) and cancer, can be diagnosed quickly.

MICROCHIP WORKS WITH SOUND WAVES

Explaining the details and objectives of the project, Electrical and Electronics Engineer Asst. Prof. Dr. Alper Şişman from Marmara University Faculty of Engineering said that they produced microchips that work using sound waves.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Şişman added: “The microchip first selects the drop of blood placed on it by generating micro vibrations and then breaks it up. It separates and evaluates the fragmented cells and reveals the RNA molecule. Our primary goal of leukocytes, known as white blood cells, is that after separating this blood group, which protects the body against infections, with microchips, we explode the cell membrane and perform the process to evaluate the genetic information inside it without damaging it.”

2 HOURS OF OPERATION WILL BE REDUCED TO 5 MINUTES

Explaining that it accelerates the diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and sepsis and provides the chance for early intervention, Asst. Prof. Dr. Şişman said: “Thanks to the microchip, we get results from the blood or any body fluid sample we take in a very short time. The blood collection method currently used in hospitals, clinics and laboratories requires plenty of devices, and you have to wait at least 1-2 hours to get results, we will reduce this time to 5 minutes. This chip can also be used in fatal diseases with problematic diagnosis. For example, it can reveal cancer or sepsis, known colloquially as blood poisoning, in a very short time. We will ensure that the patient is intervened early with the microchip.”

THE SAME RESULT WILL BE GIVEN WITH A DROP OF BLOOD

Şişman added: “Today, 10-20 milliliters of blood must be taken from people in order for the devices to work. Taking blood samples is a troublesome process, especially for children. With the device we have produced, we will be able to obtain the same result by taking 20 microliters, or a drop of blood, from the finger. We have completed the laboratory tests, the results are very positive. Our parser and cell shredder system works well.”
 
“NO CHEMICAL IS NECESSARY”

Stating that they aim to produce a working prototype within 1.5 years, Şişman said: “Our priority is to ensure the use of microchips in clinics, hospitals and laboratories after mass production. Thanks to this device, many chemicals brought from abroad to break down cells will not be needed, and will contribute greatly to our country's economy. Chemicals can damage the valuable material that comes out after breaking down the cell and reduce our efficiency. Since we use sound waves with the microchip, we will get faster, more efficient and effective results without damaging the target molecule.”

WORLDWIDE WORKS CONTINUE

Stating that studies in this field are continuing worldwide, Asst. Prof. Dr. Alper Şişman said: “In some applications, microchips similar to ours are also used, but there is no microchip used worldwide in the area we will use. That's why we take initiatives for intellectual property rights.”

EXPERIMENT DONE

Biotechnologist Abbas Ali Husseini from Istanbul Gelisim University, who is the head of the team conducting the study, said, "We are planning to produce acoustic-based microchip to be used in RNA isolation. We work with experts from different fields such as chemistry, electricity, electronics and biology. We do our experiments with yeast and blood cells from animals. With the experiment we will do today, we will look at the efficiency of the microchip in breaking the cells with sound waves.”

NEED FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Emphasizing that all analyzes to be performed with RNA in genetic or clinical laboratories will be performed with microchips, faster, with less sample volume and with less cost, Husseini said: “Thanks to the device, analyzes will be made in the field without the need for a laboratory at the bedside. The results we have now made us happy, we are doing well. We will apply to TÜBİTAK with our project, we need financial support.”

The production phase of the microchip has been completed, and the experimental work continues. It is aimed to start mass production and launch after 1.5 years.