Developments of the in-check platform for diagnostic applications

Abstract

In-Check is STMicroelectronics proprietary platform for molecular diagnostics. In-Check lays its foundations on the monolithic integration of microelectronics and micromachining technology MEMS, with microfluidic and optical features, bio-chemical surface functionalization and molecular biology. It comprises a core lab-on-chip device, control and reading instrumentation, a complete suite of software modules, and application protocols. Leveraging on such capabilities, In-Check enables fast, highly sensitive and specific, multi-analytical capability of nucleic acid analysis. The platform provides a unique combination of nucleic acid amplification, by polymerase-chain-reaction and target identification and typing by DNA microarray. These integrated biological functionalities together with top quality standard and process control are key features for a platform to be accepted by the highly demanding modern medical diagnostic. This paper describes recent developments of In-Check and some core biological characterizations.