QuantuMDx Group And A*STAR Institute Of Microelectronics To Bring Nanowire Based DNA Sequencing To Market

A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME), has signed a research collaboration agreement with QuantuMDx Group (QMDx), a UK based biotech company which is developing a range of portable technologies for diagnostics, DNA sequencing and proteomics. Under this collaboration, IME will further advance QMDx’s DNA sequencing nanowire biosensor to the point of commercialization.

QMDx is pioneering a handheld all-in-one DNA sequencer. The device, invented by QMDx’s chief scientific officer Jonathan O’Halloran, is currently in prototype. The collaboration leverages on IME’s silicon-based nanowire technology to develop biosensing technology that can simultaneously and rapidly detect large numbers of different cells and biomaterials. The synergy of QMDx’s proprietary molecular capture and IME’s technology will soon deliver affordable, rapid and accurate clinical targeted DNA sequencing at the point of need.

“The collaboration with QMDx to deliver a technology breakthrough clearly demonstrates the potential of IME’s cross-disciplinary expertise and capabilities in the bioelectronics industry,” commented Professor Dim-Lee Kwong, Executive Director of IME. “We look forward to working with our partner towards the commercialization of their first nanowire biosensor.”

Elaine Warburton, CEO of QMDx, added, “Our collaboration with IME is of immense importance to QMDx. Not only will our partnership enable both parties to utilise our respective expertise to further develop and commercialize on-chip DNA sequencing but it also represents a major milestone for QMDx as we embark on setting up operations in Singapore to benefit from the country’s wealth of biotech expertise and state-of-the-art manufacturing and fabrication facilities”.

Provided by Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR)