Next Generation Integrated Electrophoretic Nanofluidic Biochip Sensor Platform for the THz Spectroscopic Finger Printing of Biological Species and Age

Redondo Optics Inc. (ROI), a world leader in engineering and manufacturing of leading-edge nano-materials, optical sensors, fiber and integrated optics, and advanced photonics instrumentation proposes to develop and demonstrate an integrated electrophoretic nanofluidic biochip sensor platform for the accurate, reliable, and fast-throughput “label-less” THz spectroscopy finger printing of biological species and agents. Nanotechnology is emerging as the critical field for the next generation evolution of analytical biochip technology that will provide significant breakthroughs for affecting biomedicine. Miniaturization to the nanometer scale enables the probing of fundamental biological processes such as the epigenetic and genetic control factors of single molecules. Specifically, nanofluidic biochips can be use for the direct visualization of single DNA molecules. In Phase I, Redondo Optics will demonstrate an integrated THz nanofluidic biochip sensor platform that will enable the label-free fluid analysis of genetic material. The primary goal of this project is to validate and establish the use of the integrated THz nanofluidic biochip sensor platform as an analytical tool to allow the direct detection, identification, and classification of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA in their native aqueous environment without the need of complex sample preparation procedures. In Phase II of this program, ROI will focus on the engineering development of a manufacturable optical nanolithography technology to enable the cost affordable production of disposable nanofluidic biochip arrays.