The Photonic Biosensor Project (PBP) expands on a functional desktop-based system that accurately detects SARS-CoV-2 SP and influenza NP. We set out to make the system portable (broadening its usability), reusable (lowering operating costs), and extending its application into depression detection (greater functionality). To make the system portable, we integrated a variety of internal components to a central computer and made it all controllable via an intuitive UI usable by any lab technician. The reusability of the chips is made possible by combining magnetic beads with antibodies rather thanthe chips themselves, as the beads can be easily washed away from the microfluidic channel after testing a sample. To monitor depression levels, we chose to use BDNF, and after talking with real clinicians, see how valuable our testing system could be. With a portable, reusable system that could relate BDNF levels in the human body to depression, we could enable cost-effective depression diagnosis for individuals of all backgrounds, and help psychiatrists to better treat their patients.

Team Members

Devangshu Goswami
Hayden Pietsch
Jackson Carmichael
Lauren Head
Sasid Sriwattana
Savithri H. Ramamoorthy