Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

Bioanalytics and diagnostics

© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany / Volker Lannert.

Fraunhofer ILT laser processes support the automated isolation of pluripotent stem cells for personalized medicine, immune cells for efficient clinical diagnostics and high-producer cells for the production of biologics. Laser-based inline measurement processes ensure the optimal size distribution of nanometer-sized active ingredient particles in drug production. And with various spectroscopic analysis methods and AI, it is becoming increasingly possible to identify and characterize biomaterials based on their molecular building blocks. In addition, measurement methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), interferometry and laser- and AI-assisted microscopy processes ensure maximum precision in clinical diagnostics, pathology and robot-assisted surgery.

Microfluidic chips

Laser processes such as selective laser-induced etching (SLE) are key to the production of microfluidic structures and systems. Laser technology is not only suitable for creating tiny cavities, channels and structures inside materials such as fused silica, borosilicate glass, sapphire, ruby, plastics, ceramics, silicon or hybrid material combinations. Laser radiation can also be used to characterize materials and specifically modify their surfaces. Microfluidic systems produced in this way and developed at Fraunhofer ILT are the basis for lab-on-a-chip solutions for rapid multiplex diagnostics. The institute supports companies in component development, prototyping and concept validation as well as in the selection of assembly and connection technologies.

Opto-fluidic systems

Supported by CAD-based design, highly specialized teams at our institute can integrate both the fluidic channel systems and optical components into the smallest possible installation space of miniaturized microfluidic systems – and then manufacture the complex designs cost-effectively. On this basis, Fraunhofer ILT has developed multispectral screening systems with scattered and fluorescent light detection, as well as with integrated fiber optic connections and fluidic interfaces to commercial components.

Automated laboratory analysis

In the fight against dangerous infections, it is vital to rapidly identify the causative pathogens in a patient’s blood. Microfluidic and laser-optical methods are suitable for this. While the different flow behavior of blood components of different sizes and weights can be used for separation, laser light in specific wavelengths elicits the unmistakable scattered light signature of bacterial pathogens.

The isolation of so-called high-producer cells for the production of biologics is also based on comparable optical effects. With the help of marker-free Raman spectroscopy, it is possible to quickly and reliably distinguish between the spectra of producing and non-producing cells. Fraunhofer ILT is developing highly effective, automated process chains for both applications.

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