Monitoring of CRP levels by affordable solutions of printing technology

The estimation of the global market value of in vitro

diagnostic tests is 64 billion dollars or even more.

The fastest-growing segments are Point-of-Care (POC)

testing, molecular diagnostics based on nucleic acid,

and self-testing. POC tests account for about 30 per-

cent of the market, and the potential of test systems

based on printing technology is estimated to be worth

about the same.

Inexpensive and simple solutionsBacterial infections and inflammations are causing ele-

vated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which can be

measured from a blood sample. An elevated CRP level

is also an indicator for possible cardiovascular disease.

Commercial CRP testing is currently mainly based on

immunoassays and photometric detection. The testing

is well-established and sufficiently sensitive.

SalWe’s Intelligent Monitoring Programme is studying and developing inexpensive solutions based on printing technology that can be used to monitor CRP levels. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, the Center for Functional Materials, alongside an industrial partner, Orion Diagnostica Oy are participating in the research and development.

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SalWe - Strategic Center for Science, Technology and Innovation in Health and Well-being

To lower the fabrication costs of the test sensors, they

can be produced on an inexpensive substrate like pa-

per or plastic, using mass-production techniques like

printing and coating.

Market studies predict that printed and organic elec-

tronics will be a future business worth tens of billions

of dollars. However, printed diagnostic products, espe-

cially mass-produced ones, are still under development

and the first ones are only now entering the market.

Studying alternativesThe Intelligent Monitoring Programme is focused on

personal health and well-being. The aim is to develop

innovative, intelligent and cost-effective solutions

that can be used by healthcare professionals or even

the individuals to promote health and well-being.

“We’ve been examining alternative ways of measuring

CRP values by using inexpensive methods that can be

fabricated by printing. The participants in the research

group are from VTT Technical Research Centre, Åbo

Akademi University’s Center for Functional Materials

and University of Turku. The study is being managed by

Orion Diagnostica, the industrial partner,” says Jouko Haapalahti, Programme Director.

Innovations already in useVTT has demonstrated an “add-just-a-sample” micro-

fluidic device with on-chip integrated biomolecules

and autonomous liquid transport for use in the fluo-

rescence based detection of CRP from small volumes

of whole blood. The developed printing technology

will be used in the future in nucleic acid tests, too.

The Center for Functional Materials (FunMat) is aiming

to develop a CRP sensor on a flexible substrate (paper

or plastic), using various manufacturing methods and

monitoring techniques. The detection methods include

chemoresistors, capacitive sensors, electrochemical

sensors and transistors.

FunMat has succeeded in producing a coating for ca-

pacitive monitoring of CRP. It consists of electrodes

and a thin recognition layer printed on a paper or

plastic substrate.

The solution that is best suited to implementation by

printing will be used further for fabricating a DNA

sensor.

More information

Kristiina Takkinenresearch professorVTTkristiina.takkinen@vtt.fi+358 20 722 5106

Jouko PeltonenprofessorÅbo Akademijouko.peltonen@abo.fi+358 2 215 4254

Juhani Luotolasenior technology managerOrion Diagnostica Oyjuhani.luotola@oriondiagnostica.fi+358 50 966 2983

SalWe - Strategic Center for Science, Technology and Innovation in Health and Well-being