Microarrays Used for Blood Typing and Infectious Disease Diagnosis

Multiplex microarray assays are being developed to accelerate routine blood typing and the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, UK) are developing microarray technology and assays specifically to improve the understanding and diagnosis of infectious diseases, especially those caused by herpes viruses or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). They are using Tecan's (Männedorf, Switzerland) LS Reloaded laser scanner for automated scanning of both microplates and slides.

Dr. Colin Campbell, an investigator at the university, explained, "Our LS Reloaded scanner gives us the level of versatility that we need for assay development that other scanners could not provide. For example, the scanner allows a high degree of flexibility with a choice of materials and chip geometries so that we can scan from underneath or above, and can use silicon wafers and nonstandard chip sizes."

The Edinburgh scientists recently developed a microarray-based assay for ABO and Rhesus blood group typing, and are now developing this further to bring all the pretransfusion testing for other blood groups and infectious diseases together on one microarray. Dr. Campbell commented, "Our ultimate aim is to develop a single microarray-based test that will include all the critical antigens that must be matched for a successful blood transfusion to take place."

Tecan is a global supplier of laboratory instruments and solutions for the biopharma, forensic, and diagnostic industries. The company specializes in the development, production, and distribution of automation solutions for life science laboratories. Tecan's clients include pharmaceutic and biotech companies, university research departments, diagnostic laboratories and companies, as well as forensics laboratories. The company has production, research, and development sites in both North America and Europe and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries.

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