This paper presents an in-depth analysis of APHRODITE, a collaborative project involving the School of Aerospace Engineering (SIA) at Sapienza University of Rome, the University of Bologna, and Kayser Italia. Funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), APHRODITE serves as a technological demonstrator for deployment on the International Space Station (ISS) in late 2025, focusing on the determination of astronauts’ salivary biomarkers through an innovative biosensor. Extended space journeys require the implementation of health protection and preventive measures to address health challenges induced by microgravity, including issues such as muscle atrophy, metabolic changes, and an elevated risk of cancer [1]. This paper delves into the design, manufacturing, and testing of its microfluidic chip focusing on the detection subsystem and detailing its microfluidic simulations, magnet selection study, and critical role in the assay process. The microfluidic chip integrates thin-film sensors in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) for dual- analyte competitive chemiluminescence (CL) immunoassays. The paper outlines the assay protocol, emphasizing the use of functionalized magnetic microbeads (MBs) for chip reusability and assay versatility [2,3], enabling multiple successive assays, and consecutively analyzing different target analytes. The design and manufacturing procedure of the microfluidic chip are described in-depth, highlighting the also the integration of a-Si:H photosensors, fluidic connectors, and miniaturized components. The detection subsystem, complemented by a magnetic actuation subsystem, low-noise front-end electronic board, and fluidic dispensing subsystem, meets the stringent requirements of space applications [4]. This work contributes to advancing biosensing technologies for health monitoring in space, providing a detailed characterization of the APHRODITE microfluidic chip and its crucial role in enabling real-time analysis of salivary biomarkers during space missions [5-9].
Characterization of a lab-in-chip for dual analyte assay in space missions / Nardi, L.; Maipan Davis, N.; Abbasrezaee, Parsa; De Albuquerque, T. B.; Lovecchio, N.; Caputo, D.; de Cesare, G.; Shariati Pour, S. R.; Zangheri, M.; Emamiamin, A.; Calabria, D.; Guardigli, M.; Balsamo, M.; Carrubba, E.; Carubia, F.; Ceccarelli, M.; Ghiozzi, M.; Popova, L.; Tenaglia, A.; Crisconio, M.; Donati, A.; Nascetti, A.; Mirasoli, M.. - (2024), pp. 112-114. (Intervento presentato al convegno AISEM 2024 - XXII Annual Conference on Sensors and Microsystems tenutosi a Bologna).
Characterization of a lab-in-chip for dual analyte assay in space missions
L. Nardi
;N. Maipan Davis;Parsa Abbasrezaee;N. Lovecchio;D. Caputo;G. de Cesare;M. Guardigli;A. Nascetti;
2024
Abstract
This paper presents an in-depth analysis of APHRODITE, a collaborative project involving the School of Aerospace Engineering (SIA) at Sapienza University of Rome, the University of Bologna, and Kayser Italia. Funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), APHRODITE serves as a technological demonstrator for deployment on the International Space Station (ISS) in late 2025, focusing on the determination of astronauts’ salivary biomarkers through an innovative biosensor. Extended space journeys require the implementation of health protection and preventive measures to address health challenges induced by microgravity, including issues such as muscle atrophy, metabolic changes, and an elevated risk of cancer [1]. This paper delves into the design, manufacturing, and testing of its microfluidic chip focusing on the detection subsystem and detailing its microfluidic simulations, magnet selection study, and critical role in the assay process. The microfluidic chip integrates thin-film sensors in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) for dual- analyte competitive chemiluminescence (CL) immunoassays. The paper outlines the assay protocol, emphasizing the use of functionalized magnetic microbeads (MBs) for chip reusability and assay versatility [2,3], enabling multiple successive assays, and consecutively analyzing different target analytes. The design and manufacturing procedure of the microfluidic chip are described in-depth, highlighting the also the integration of a-Si:H photosensors, fluidic connectors, and miniaturized components. The detection subsystem, complemented by a magnetic actuation subsystem, low-noise front-end electronic board, and fluidic dispensing subsystem, meets the stringent requirements of space applications [4]. This work contributes to advancing biosensing technologies for health monitoring in space, providing a detailed characterization of the APHRODITE microfluidic chip and its crucial role in enabling real-time analysis of salivary biomarkers during space missions [5-9].I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
