Alifax is a Padua-based diagnostic test manufacturer founded in 1988 by Paolo Galiano, as a result of his valuable experience in the laboratory diagnostics market with particular reference to the fields of haematology, microbiology, serology and autoimmunity.
Galiano, who is also president of the Veneto-based company, explains: "Starting from a strong passion for research and excellence in innovation, Alifax has gained a leading position in hematology and bacteriology for diagnostic purposes. Working in close collaboration with STMicroelectronics and applying its microfluidic technologies and other fundamental techniques in the Molecular Mouse and in our panels for specific pathogens, first of all a test for Covid-19, we are ready to provide our contribution to speed up the diagnosis and isolation of pathogens and thus block their spread".
The application developed with STMicroelectronics
The ST collaboration is a portable point-of-care molecular diagnostic solution that uses Polymerase Chain Reaction to amplify and quantify DNA (and RNA) from patient samples. The Molecular Mouse is a small, portable instrument that leverages technology developed and licensed by ST and incorporates a wide range of ST components, including STM32 microcontrollers, sensors, amplifiers and other devices. Connected to a PC, the Molecular Mouse uses diagnostic reagents created by Alifax to manage the control and testing of different targets or samples on a small disposable cartridge, manufactured by ST using MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) semiconductor process technology. Test results are available in less than one hour.
"A very important lesson we have learned from the current global pandemic is how crucial it is to have a rapid Point of Care test that enables immediate remote diagnosis and, if necessary, subsequent patient isolation," said Alessandro Cremonesi, Chief Innovation Officer at STMicroelectronics. "ST has invested in its Real-Time PCR platform in the belief that innovative semiconductor-based diagnostic solutions can positively impact our lives."
Benedetto Vigna, President of the Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group at STMicroelectronics , added: "Using our high-volume semiconductor manufacturing technology, combined with our long-standing leadership in microfluidics, we have developed a very flexible and rapidly adaptable cartridge and platform capable of quickly delivering accurate diagnostic results at the point of care. Alifax has modulated this platform to respond almost immediately to the current diagnostic needs imposed by the pandemic and future ones."
How does the Molecular Mouse work?
More compact than a smartphone, Alifax's Molecular Mouse can simultaneously perform amplification (via polymerase chain reactions) and DNA quantification (qPCR) on small, disposable cartridges. Each cartridge contains six tiny reaction chambers (for the Covid-19 assay Alifax uses two chambers per sample). Each chamber very precisely supports the heating and cooling of the reagents and samples to amplify the genetic material that is sought in the sample, if any. At the same time, by taking advantage of custom fluorescent tagged reagents developed specifically by Alifax for the detection of Covid-19, the Molecular Mouse determines the presence of this genetic material in each chamber based on the intensity of fluorescence at different wavelengths. The Molecular Mouse, disposable cartridges and diagnostic panels are CE-IVD3 certified.
