FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Elena Tan (Tel: 65 6824 7032 or Email: elenatan@ibn.a-star.edu.sg)
Hamidah Aidillah (Tel: 65 6824 7040 or Email: hamidahm@ibn.a-star.edu.sg)

MEDIA RELEASE

Affordable Mass Screening to Curb Pandemics Now Possible with MicroKit

IBN’s All-in-One Device Detects Infectious Diseases Rapidly and Accurately

Singapore, September 24, 2010 – A portable MicroKit system developed by the Institute of
Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology
research institute, enables mass health screenings to be conducted at strategic locations such as
airports, immigration checkpoints and train stations. By facilitating rapid and accurate disease
detection at these decentralized places, IBN’s MicroKit can help to curb the spread of infectious
diseases and prevent pandemics. This study was published recently in the leading microfluidic and
nanofluidic journal, Lab on a Chip1.

The outbreak of infectious diseases such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003 and
the new strain of influenza A H1N1 virus in 2009, and their rapid proliferation within the community
triggered a global fear and underscored the need for a fully automated system that can quickly
identify infected patients.

Current diagnostic tests can take up to a day because they require several manual processes,
including the breakdown of the virus sample, extraction of pathogenic RNA/DNA from the sample,
and molecular diagnosis via real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR).
Further, these tests can only be conducted in a laboratory setting by skilled operators who face the
risk of accidental virus exposure. To meet the need for rapid and safe disease diagnosis, the main
technological hurdle lies in integrating these processes into a portable device with automated
processing capability.

IBN’s MicroKit is an all-in-one, fully automated

desktop system that integrates the RNA/DNA
extraction and RRT-PCR detection into one single
platform. A disposable, self-contained cartridge stores
all the necessary reagents for the nucleic acid-based
molecular diagnosis. As everything takes place within
the completely sealed cartridge, the risks of potential
virus exposure and hardware contamination for the
operator are eliminated.

According to Dr Mo-Huang Li, IBN Team Leader and

IBN MicroKit Team: (front row, left to right)
Senior Research Scientist, “Using our MicroKit, the
Prof Jackie Y. Ying, Executive Director, Dr Mo-Huang
operator can simply pipette the patient’s sample into
Li, Team Leader and Senior Research Scientist,
the cartridge, and the system would automatically
(back row, left to right) Daniel Lee, Guolin Xu, Dr
perform the entire sample preparation and diagnosis.
Hong Xie, James Hsieh, Dr Emril Mohamed Ali, and
Xing Lun Looi. This saves a lot of time and allows diseases to be
diagnosed in a timely manner. In addition, the
cartridge design has no movable components, which greatly simplifies the cartridge fabrication and

1
G. Xu, T. M. Hsieh, D. Y. S. Lee, E. Mohamed Ali, H. Xie, X. L. Looi, E. S.-C. Koay, M.-H. Li and J. Y. Ying, “A Self-
Contained All-in-One Cartridge for Sample Preparation and Real-Time PCR in Rapid Influenza Diagnosis,” Lab on a Chip,
(2010) DOI:10.1039/c005265e, reproduced by permission of The Royal Society of Chemistry.

A member of A*STAR’s Biomedical Sciences Institutes (Co. Reg. No. 199702109N)

assembly. We are thus able to use injection molding to produce these cartridges inexpensively in
large quantities.”

Since IBN was established in 2003, a multidisciplinary research team across the fields of engineering,
science and medicine had been set up to develop a diagnostic system that can enable early-stage
disease detection. IBN further developed the device into the MicroKit for fast and accurate detection
of infectious diseases. The MicroKit has evolved from being able to perform only sample preparation
to a fully automated all-in-one system that can also perform detection. In addition, the MicroKit is
capable of conducting multiple diagnoses simultaneously for up to 3 diseases.

Another unique feature of IBN’s MicroKit is its ability to perform automated and speedy gene
extraction and detection on a wide variety of biological samples, including tissues and body fluids.
Realizing its commercial potential, IBN successfully licensed the MicroKit technology to SG Molecular
Diagnostics Pte Ltd in January 2009 to develop a range of diagnostic devices. The MicroKit also
received the “Best Innovation in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications” Award in the 2009
ASEAN Virtual Instrumentation Applications Contest organized by National Instruments.

As reported in the Lab on a Chip paper, IBN’s MicroKit has been successfully employed for seasonal
influenza A H1N1 typing and sub-typing, with comparable sensitivity as conventional methods. By
making minor modifications to the system, the MicroKit can also potentially be used to detect a host
of other infectious diseases such as hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), dengue and HIV.

Professor Jackie Y. Ying, IBN Executive Director, who leads the scientific team that developed the
MicroKit says, “The MicroKit project is an example of IBN’s strategic approach towards tackling
biomedical challenges through interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The team working on the
Microkit project comes from diverse backgrounds and is able to capitalize on each other’s expertise.
We are also delighted to have Dr. Evelyn S.-C. Koay of National University of Singapore and National
University Hospital as our collaborator on this study. We are currently working on the next phase of
development for the MicroKit to facilitate detection of up 25 diseases at the same time.”

Images Available on Request:

Sample Loading

RNA/DNA
RRT-PCR
Extraction / Purification

Fig 1: Illustration of the disposable, self-
contained polymer cartridge that integrates
pathogenic RNA/DNA extraction and real time
RT-PCR.
Fig 2: A schematic diagram of the MicroKit, a fully
automated system with multiplexing capability for
the rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases. The
system automatically performs DNA/RNA sample
preparation, reagent metering, aliquot dispensing,
and RRT-PCR with self-contained reagents in a
disposable polymer cartridge.

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For interviews, queries and photo requests, please contact:

Elena Tan Hamidah Aidillah

Phone: 65 6824 7032 Phone: 65 6824 7040
Email: elenatan@ibn.a-star.edu.sg Email: hamidahm@ibn.a-star.edu.sg

About the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

The Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) was established in 2003 and is
spearheaded by its Executive Director, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying, who has been on the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Chemical Engineering faculty since 1992, and was among
the youngest to be promoted to Professor in 2001.

In 2008, Professor Ying was recognized as one of “One Hundred Engineers of the Modern Era” by
the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for her groundbreaking work on nanostructured
systems, nanoporous materials and host matrices for quantum dots and wires.

Under her direction, IBN conducts research at the cutting-edge of bioengineering and nanotechnology.
Its programs are geared towards linking multiple disciplines across all fields in engineering, science
and medicine to produce research breakthroughs that will improve healthcare and our quality of life.

IBN’s research activities are focused in the following areas:

 Drug and Gene Delivery, where the controlled release of therapeutics involve the use of
functionalized polymers, hydrogels and biologics for targeting diseased cells and organs, and
for responding to specific biological stimuli.

 Cell and Tissue Engineering, where biomimicking materials, stem cell technology, microfluidic
systems and bioimaging tools are combined to develop novel approaches to regenerative
medicine and artificial organs.

 Biosensors and Biodevices, which involve nanotechnology and microfabricated platforms for
high-throughput biomarkers and drug screening, automated biologics synthesis, and rapid
disease diagnosis.

 Pharmaceuticals Synthesis and Green Chemistry, which encompasses the efficient catalytic
synthesis of chiral pharmaceuticals, and new nanocomposite materials for sustainable
technology and alternative energy generation.

IBN's innovative research is aimed at creating new knowledge and intellectual properties in the
emerging fields of bioengineering and nanotechnology to attract top-notch researchers and business
partners to Singapore. Since 2003, IBN researchers have published over 609 papers in leading
journals.

IBN also plays an active role in technology transfer and spinning off companies, linking the research
institute and industrial partners to other global institutions. The Institute has filed over 925 patent
applications on its inventions and is currently looking for partners for collaboration and
commercialization of its portfolio of technologies.

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IBN's current staff strength stands at over 180 scientists, engineers and medical doctors. With its
multinational and multidisciplinary research staff, the institute is geared towards generating new
biomaterials, devices, systems, equipment and processes to boost Singapore’s economy in the fast-
growing biomedical sector.

IBN is also committed to nurturing young minds, and the institute acts as a training ground for PhD
students and undergraduates. In October 2003, IBN initiated a Youth Research Program to open its
doors to university students, as well as students and teachers from various secondary schools and
junior colleges. It has since reached out to more than 41,400 students and teachers from 233 local
and overseas schools and institutions.

For more information, please log on to: www.ibn.a-star.edu.sg.