Use of platinum nanoparticles to enhance the sensitivity of microfluidic diagnostic tests

Rapid diagnostic tests play a crucial role in preventative medicine and epidemiology. Despite their widespread adoption in the industry, obtaining precise, quantitative results for low concentrations of analyte remains a significant challenge. For example, point-of-care (POC) tests for COVID-19 can exhibit a 70% rate of false negatives in some cases. The aim of this project is to combine the precise fluid control at small sample volumes of a microfluidic platform with the sensitive detection potential of platinum nanocatalysts (PtNCs). Indeed, these nanocatalysts, consisting of a gold core surrounded by a platinum layer, developed in Molly Stevens’ research group at Oxford, catalyze a reaction that continuously forms a coloured precipitate. This allows for signal amplification at unprecedented levels. The project aims to further a three-year long collaboration between Prof. Thomas Gervais at Polytechnique Montreal, and Prof. Stevens, by combining their expertise in Microfluidics and Nanoparticles to transform diagnostics.

Faculty Supervisor:

Thomas Gervais

Student:

Partner:

University of Oxford

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Biotechnology; Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Nanotechnology

University:

Polytechnique Montréal

Program: