Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "Imec European collaborative research to develop lab-on-chip system for cheap and fast cancer diagnosis"
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Home > Press > Imec European collaborative research to develop lab-on-chip system for cheap and fast cancer
diagnosis
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Abstract:
Today, at the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC) in Buenos Aires (Argentina), imec and its
project partners have announced the launch of the European Seventh Framework Project MIRACLE.
Imec European collaborative research to develop lab-on-chip system for cheap and fast
cancer diagnosis
Leuven, Belgium | Posted on September 2nd, 2010
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Breast Cancer
Blood Cancer
Leuven
Human Cells
The MIRACLE project aims to develop an operational lab-on-chip for the isolation and detection of circulating and
disseminated tumor cells (CTCs and DTCs) in blood. The new lab-on-chip is an essential step towards faster and cost Premium Products
efficient diagnosis of cancer.
Detection of circulating and disseminated tumor cells in blood is a promising methodology to diagnose cancer
dissemination or to follow up cancer patients during therapy. Today, the detection analyses of these cells are
performed in medical laboratories requiring labor intensive, expensive and time-consuming sample processing and cell
isolation steps. A full tumor cell detection analysis can take more than a day. A lab-on-chip, integrating the many
processing steps, would enable a faster, easy-to-use, cost-effective detection of tumor cells in blood. They are
therefore labor-saving and minimally invasive, increasing the patient's comfort and the efficiency of today's healthcare.
In a preceding joint project by some of the partners (MASCOT FP6-027652), individual microfluidic modules for cell
isolation, cell counting, DNA amplification and detection have been developed. Based on this expertise and
strengthened by additional partners, the development of a fully automated, lab-on-chip platform to isolate, count and
genotype CTCs is envisaged within the framework of the MIRACLE project. For genotyping, genetic material (i.e. the
mRNA) will be extracted from the cells and multiple cancer related markers will be amplified based on multiplex
ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) followed by their detection using an array of electrochemical sensors.
Full integration of all steps requires innovative research and processing steps that need a combination of the
multidisciplinary and unique expertise of the different project partners (ranging from microfluidics to interfacing,
miniaturization, and integration skills). The resulting lab-on-chip tumor detection system will be well ahead of the
current state-of-the-art, revolutionizing cancer diagnostics and individualized theranostics.
E&P (Hart's E&P)
Within the framework of the MIRACLE project, imec as project coordinator, collaborates with the Universitat Rovira I
Virgili (Spain), the Institut für Mikrotechnik Mainz, AdnaGen, ThinXXs and Consultech (Germany), MRC Holland (The
Netherlands), the Oslo University Hospital (Norway), the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Multi-D and Fujirebio
Diagnostics (Sweden), ECCO - the European CanCer Organisation and ICsense (Belgium) and Labman (UK). The
project aims at developing a fully automated and integrated microsystem providing the genotype (gene expression
profile) of CTCs and DTCs starting from clinical samples. MIRACLE is partly funded by the European Commission (FP7ICT-2009.3.9). More information on the project is available on the web: www.miracle-fp7.eu
####
About Imec
Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative
power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions.
In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a
better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the
Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China and Japan. Its staff of more than 1,750 people includes over 550 industrial residents
and guest researchers. In 2009, imec's revenue (P&L) was 275 million euro. Further information on imec can be found
at www.imec.be.
NOTE: Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law
as a "stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the
http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=39886[03/09/2010 10:55:36]
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Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "Imec European collaborative research to develop lab-on-chip system for cheap and fast cancer diagnosis"
Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec
Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.) and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shangai) Co. Ltd.).
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Katrien Marent
Director of External Communications
T: +32 16 28 18 80
Mobile: +32 474 30 28 66
katrien.marent@imec.be
Barbara Kalkis
Maestro Marketing & PR
T: +1 408 996 9975
kkalkis@compuserve.com
Copyright © Imec
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http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=39886[03/09/2010 10:55:36]
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