Bio-Chip Platforms: Current Milestones and Challenges Ahead

Luca Benini, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Bologna, Italy
Carlotta Guiducci, PhD, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Bologna, Italy

Abstract: A great effort has been devoted towards developing sensors to improve speed, reliability and throughput of genetic analysis for research and diagnostics and to allow point-of-care distribution of genetic tests. Electronics and microelectronics have a major role in sensors development for reliable and flexible implementation of signal transduction, conditioning, amplification and processing with both discrete and integrated systems. Moreover, semiconductor technology can be employed to implement miniaturization and integrate additional steps to the analysis tool: photolithography or ink-jet printing have been employed for high-density pattern definition of bio-modified substrates: surface and bulk micromachining of silicon and other materials have been for implementation of microfluidic and thermal elements, leading to the development of Biochip platforms. The characteristics and main applications of Biochip will be presented and specific issues related to the integration of biological material into the device will be discussed. New concepts of configurability (bio-configurability) will be introduced. Experimental results will be presented concerning the development of electronic-microfabricated solutions for automated, low-cost, easy-to-use tools genetic and protein-based research and tests.
 

About the speakers:Luca Benini received a Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1997. He also holds visiting researcher positions at Stanford University and the Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA.

Dr. Benini's research interests are in computer architecture and computer-aided design of digital systems, with special emphasis on low-power applications and SoC design. On these topics he has published more than 200 papers in international journals and conferences and three books. He has been program chair and vice-chair of Design Automation and Test in Europe Conference He is a member of the technical program committee and organizing committee of several technical conferences, including the Design Automation Conference, International Symposium on Low Power Design, the Symposiom on Hardware-Software Codesign. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE.

Carlotta Guiducci received the B.S. degree (summa cum laude) in Electronics Engineering (specialization in Microelectronics) from the University of Bologna in 2001. She worked for six months at IMEP-INP Grenoble and LETI-CEA on the CV Characterization of ultra-thin MOSFETs. She received the Ph.D.degree in Electronics Engineering in 2005 from the University of Bologna and is working on Biosensors in collaboration with the Biochemistry Department "G. Moruzzi" of the University of Bologna. Since 2003 she has been collaborating with the Biosensors group at the "Laboratoire des Materiaux et du Genie Physique" -INP Grenoble.

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