Infineon Technologies announced availability of "Flow-Thru" biochips and a matching complete analysis system. Infineon markets the products with its US partner company, MetriGenix. The biochips are miniaturised sample substrates made of silicon, on which hundreds of simultaneous biomolecular tests can be performed using optical evaluation techniques. The Infineon biochip uses a three-dimensional micro-array - a network of fine micro-channels that run between the upper and the lower side of the chip. In contrast, traditional planar biochips on glass substrates have a two-dimensional sensor surface. Analysis using the Flow-Thru Chip (FTC) is a multi-step process. The micro-channels of the biochip are prepared by MetriGenix, which populates the chip with segments of known genes that fix themselves on the walls of the micro-channels. Then the gene sample to be analysed is repeatedly pumped back and forth through the pores in the Flow-Thru technique. This causes matching genes of the sample to bind with known genes on the pore wall. A luminescent dye is added in another step, binding with the matched gene segments. The dye emits light that is captured by a CCD (charge coupled device) camera and forwarded to a computer.

Infineon Technologies announced availability of "Flow-Thru" biochips and a matching complete analysis system. Infineon markets the products with its US partner company, MetriGenix. The biochips are miniaturised sample substrates made of silicon, on which hundreds of simultaneous biomolecular tests can be performed using optical evaluation techniques. The Infineon biochip uses a three-dimensional micro-array - a network of fine micro-channels that run between the upper and the lower side of the chip. In contrast, traditional planar biochips on glass substrates have a two-dimensional sensor surface.

Analysis using the Flow-Thru Chip (FTC) is a multi-step process. The micro-channels of the biochip are prepared by MetriGenix, which populates the chip with segments of known genes that fix themselves on the walls of the micro-channels. Then the gene sample to be analysed is repeatedly pumped back and forth through the pores in the Flow-Thru technique. This causes matching genes of the sample to bind with known genes on the pore wall. A luminescent dye is added in another step, binding with the matched gene segments. The dye emits light that is captured by a CCD (charge coupled device) camera and forwarded to a computer.
A special etch process creates about 1mn channels/cm2 of chip surface, each with a diameter of only 10microns and a depth of 0.5mm. For the FTC, about 100 of these channels are used per probe molecule, with each chip typically being configured with 100 to 400 probe molecules or gene sections (spots).

The FTC technique means that the reaction speed during hybridisation is no longer dependent on the time-consuming diffusion process used by planar biochips. Owing to the channel structure, a hundred times more molecules can react with each other, increasing sensitivity.

“By further developing existing semiconductor technologies, Infineon will develop and produce cost-effective chip-based solutions in the field of biotechnology,” said Dr. Thomas Klaue, Director of Business Development and the manager responsible for Infineon's biochip activities.

Currently, a number of specific assays, equipped with the appropriate gene structures for specific diseases, are available for the complete "4D Array System" developed by Infineon and MetriGenix. The range comprises arrays for examinations for lung and breast cancer, tissue proliferation, and inflammation, as well as an array for the detection of neural changes that are the cause of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or Multiple Sclerosis. In addition, custom arrays are available that provide specific genes with complexities of 50 to 192 samples based on customer specifications.

Infineon is also developing an electronic-based DNA chip scheduled for release into the market in about two or three years' time. A third technology, Infineon's “Neuro-Chip” is still in the research phase. Infineon hopes that its biochips will make it possible to administer medication much more selectively and cost-effectively.