Silicon photonics-based biosensor for multiplex detection

The goal of this partnership is to conduct preliminary research on developing a hand-held biosensor built from state-of-the-art silicon photonics technology. The multiplexed architecture of our biosensor will allow us to simultaneously assay for different infections; it will be a general platform.

UBC has developed a new architecture for low-cost multiplexed testing (patent pending). This architecture replaces the expensive external tunable lasers used by silicon photonic biosensor research groups and companies, and instead integrates a low-cost laser within the silicon chip. Dream Photonics would like to validate this sensor using high-volume manufacturing facilities, and further develop the sensor so that it can be commercialized.

Our goal is to research, develop, and commercialize an advanced silicon photonic multiplexed biosensor that detects many different pathogen infections and immunity for diseases such as COVID-19 and its variants. Our hope is that our sensors can provide answers to individuals, industries, governments, and policy makers. In the long term, testing for emerging diseases will be an important global need: our multiplexed sensors will be low cost (estimated cost: $20 in volume), will be disposable, will connect via Bluetooth to a mobile device, and will be usable in the field (point of care setting).

Faculty Supervisor:

Karen Cheung

Student:

Partner:

Dream Photonics

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: