Michele Gregorini & Philippe Bechtold - diaxxo (peakPCR)

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular technology that enables the exponential amplification of a specific sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in a sample. Over the last decades, polymerase chain reaction techniques have been implemented in a wide number of applications, such as biological analysis, environmental studies (e.g. water quality) and medical diagnostics (e.g. tuberculosis, flu, sexually transmitted diseases.).
We are developing a fast, economical and resource-efficient Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) device, that we have designed and prototyped in two different versions: desktop and portable (battery-operated). Our systems use a sample holder (called ¡°chip¡±) that we can preload with all the necessary chemicals in order to provide a plug and play experience for the final user running the analysis.
In 2020 our devices have been used by more than 250 laypeople for the rapid detection of COVID-19 in a field study that we ran at ETH Z¨¹rich, and our systems are currently being tested at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and at the Tierspital Z¨¹rich. Several medical doctors have already expressed interest in our technology, and we are now working towards the In Vitro diagnostic (IVD) certification. Amongst the many possible applications, we intend to develop a first test cartridge for Sexually Transmitted Infections, and further tests for Dengue, Malaria and other tropical diseases.