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- NRC Biotechnology Research Institute
- NRC Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information
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Enquiries: NRC-SIMS
Phone: 613-993-1212
100 Sussex Drive
Ottawa,
Ontario,
K1A 0R6
Canada
Materials for Molecular Diagnostics
The Materials for Molecular Diagnostics program involves the synthesis of unique materials and modification of interfaces for devices and processes used for sampling and sensing components of air, fluids and tissue with applications in infectious and chronic disease diagnostics and public security. SIMS conducts research in biosensors, biochips, microfluidics, molecular labels and novel material architectures, key technologies that are of importance to the molecular diagnostics industry and the rapidly emerging fields of pharmacogenomics, point-of-care and personalized medicine.
Multi-functional nanoparticles are designed to decrease the time required for the detection and identification of pathogens and improve the labeling efficiency and imaging contrast and spatial resolution of rare cells and chronic diseases. Pathogen detection and identification can be significantly improved and sped up through the use of multifunctional platforms comprised of superparamagnetic nanoparticles coupled with quantum dots, dyes, or gold nanoparticles and the proper surface modification for specific targeting of a given pathogen. All of these probes can improve the early diagnosis of diseases and the analysis of regenerative medicine therapies. Strategies for biomolecule attachment developed at SIMS are being applied to electrical (bioFET) and optical sensing platforms as part of NRC's Genomics and Health Initiative.
SIMS is also involved in developing sensors for monitoring indoor air contaminants such as formaldehyde, toluene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as part of NRC's ICT sector strategy. Sensors and sensor networks for the environment, health, and security are of ever increasing importance for Canada.
