SAW2See: In-chip detection of absorption properties of single cells in flow

Optical absorption signatures of single cells in blood have an immense diagnostic value. In the visible wavelength range, the signatures of intrinsically absorbing cells can inform on pathophysiological aberration such as disorders of red blood cells or melanoma. However, high-throughput readout of single cells absorption signatures via purely optical concepts still requires advanced, expensive and bulky optical technologies such as high-speed cameras, which impedes cost-effective mass-production, miniaturization and parallelization. In my ERC, we introduced point source optimized interdigital transducers (IDTs) for the readout of optoacoustic signals after visible light excitation. Such IDTs are fully integrated in a microfluidic chip and readily mass-producible in wafer format. With this device, we showed the principal possibility to detect signals from melanoma cells and red blood cells.Combined with cheap and miniature laser diodes, our innovative readout technology offers a versatile, affordable and accessible device for high-throughput readout of cellular absorption signatures for diagnostics, suitable for distributed healthcare applications.Building on our published initial proof-of-principle from my ERC in SAW2See, we will thoroughly assess the technological capabilities and pave the way towards commercialization.