Annual Report 2013–14

碟片實驗室快速檢測基因 傳統的基因測試需要病人到診所抽血， 送樣本往化驗室，添加試劑，利用大型 儀器檢測、分析，得出結果後再送返診 所，需時數天，或會導致延誤治療、 延長住院時間和增加診症次數。 由工程學院電子工程學系何浩培教授 領導，醫學院內科及藥物治療學系名譽 臨床副教授關國良教授，以及理學院生 命科學學院江紹佳教授參與的跨學科 研究小組，研發出「碟片實驗室」， 只需短短一小時便可完成基因測試。 「碟片實驗室」由一片圓形膠片及電路 板組成，僅有成人手心大小。只需將 病人的一滴血滴在碟片上，高速轉動的 離心力會令血液經由碟片上的微細通道 注入多個小室，再由電路板控制各個 小室的溫度，使DNA擴增，並以熒光 探針顯示是否有化學反應。「碟片實驗 室」按照自動化程序加以分析後，透過 無線訊號將結果即時傳送至醫生的電腦 或便攜裝置上，只需一個步驟，整個 過程可在診所完成。 「碟片實驗室」亦可用於致敏原測試。 現時一般做法是將可能引致過敏的物質 直接塗在皮膚上，出現過敏症狀便確 認致敏原。「碟片實驗室」則將整個過 程置於體外進行，並可同時進行四個 樣本測試，快捷安全。 ‘Lab-on-a-Disc’ System Traditional DNA assay involves taking a blood sample from the clinic to a laboratory, adding reagents, and reading assay signals with bulky equipment for genetic analysis and other biomarkers. This process often takes several days, and may lead to delayed treatment, prolonged hospital stay, and extra clinic visits. The ‘Lab-on-a-Disc (LOAD) Platform — Bioassay Automation’ is able to simplify complex DNA assay and allergen testing procedures to one single step, and produce results within an hour onsite. This novel technology was developed by an inter-faculty team led by Prof. Ho Ho-pui Aaron in the Department of Electronic Engineering. Prof. Patrick K.L. Kwan in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and Prof. Kong Siu-kai in the School of Life Sciences took part in its development. The entire LOAD system is only the size of an adult’s palm. The disposable assay cartridge is a round-shaped plastic disc that operates with a customized circuit board. LOAD needs only a drop of the patient’s blood on the disc. Using high-speed centrifugal force, the blood is directed to different chambers through the channels on the disc. The circuit board controls the temperature of each chamber for amplifying DNA, and the chemical reaction is reported through fluorescent changes. After completion of the automated process, the final result is sent to the clinician’s computer or portable device instantly and wirelessly. The entire test can be done inside the clinic in just a single step. The whole process of LOAD is conducted outside the human body, and four samples can be assayed simultaneously, in a safe and efficient manner. 左起：江紹佳教授 、 關國良教授 、何浩培教授 From left: Prof. Kong Siu-kai, Prof. Patrick K.L. Kwan, Prof. Ho Ho-pui Aaron 22 開拓人類知識的版圖 Pushing Knowledge Frontiers