Imec and Pacific Biosciences to develop microchips for genetic analysis
Imec has partnered with Pacific Biosciences in a multi-year research collaboration to develop advanced microchips for highly multiplexed single molecule genetic analysis
Belgium-based nanoelectronics research centre Imec has joined forces with bio-chip developer, Pacific Biosciences, California, US, to develop advanced microchips for highly multiplexed single molecule genetic analysis.
This research and development project will build on Imec's expertise in nano-photonics, CMOS sensors, technology integration and fabrication, as well as Pacific Biosciences' proprietary zero-mode waveguide (ZMW) technology.
"We are excited to work with the leading single molecule sequencing company to identify ways to bring greater economies of scale to this breakthrough technology through nano-scale semiconductor fabrication," said Luc Van den hove, Imec chief executive and president. "This collaboration is another example of how Imec leverages the research competencies of its Life Science Program with its silicon-based CMORE technology platforms to deliver full custom integrated nano/microsystems to emerging markets."
As Michael Hunkapiller, president and chief executive of Pacific Biosciences explained, the collaborators now intend to ramp-up production of its single molecule analysis using IMEC's microchips.
"From our inception we have been committed to exploiting the potential of the unique capabilities of our ZMW-based Single Molecule, Real-Time analysis technology to drive innovation in the life sciences," he added. "The goal of this collaboration is to harness the power of microchips to scale the capacity and throughput of our Single molecule real time sequencing - SMRT - technology. We look forward to working with imec on this advanced development program as we continue to expand the application space for our platform."
Zero-mode waveguides have been specifically developed for rapid parallel sensing of zeptolitre sample volumes, as applied to gene sequencing, by Pacific Biosciences
