Robotized portable system to analyze multiple samples that allows the simultaneous detection of up to thousands different analytes in a single test. It can be applied to environmental and medical sectors, for the detection of contaminants, microorga

The system uses a technology similar to the DNA and proteins microarrays technology, but the sample treatment for the analysis is substantially reduced, and the whole process is robotized.

A group of researchers has developed a portable system that allows the analysis of multiple samples and the detection and simultaneous characterisation from tens to thousands different analytes in a single test. This system is liable to remote control handling. It takes advantage of the recent technology of DNA and proteins microarrays, that has increased the analysys capability and the detection sensitivity enormously, providing studies of biological, biomedical and biosanitary problems. Far from the technologies based on microarrays, in the current technology the sample treatment for the analysis is substantially reduced, and the whole process is robotized.The apparatus comprises a series of operating modules, in which the samples are manipulated, treated and analized, and a series of controlling modules that control the operating ones. Samples to be analyzed can be at liquid or solid state, or even in suspension. For its homogenization an homogeneous mixture is formed between the sample and a salt solution or buffer, in order to disgragate the particulates extremely and to solve the analytes. Laterly, the homogenized sample is subjected to different processes: chemical, biochemical and biological change, or physical modifications like filtration, concentration, etc. The result of the processing can be the molecular marking of the analytes in the sample. This molecular marking consists in a fluorescent substance or any other agent that enables the posterior identification of the modified analyte.Once the sample has been processed, it gets in contact to a sensor constituted by one or more substances able to interact with analytes in the sample. The final object is the detection of the analytes which are bounded into the sensor. To do so, a series of devices for the marked analytes detection is provided. If these analytes have been modified by a fluorescent substance (fluorochrome), a radiation source to excite the fluorochrome and a fluorescence detector are provided. Detected data are processed by a software that is prepared to provide a final submission of results by means of a "bits" map which originates an image susceptible to be computerized, either by the data reading module software or by a remote station. Innovative aspects: -This technology is allowed to detect certain substances and to infere its possible toxicity or patogenicity properties by means of systems based on molecular properties of bions. -It's able to detect from several substances up to thousands of them by a single test, mainly components with biological origin. -It's a widely autonomous system. -It's able to analyze multiple samples. -It's capable to process liquid samples (body fluids or water) or suspensions (of ground, sediments or crushed rockes) which volume ranges from micro to mililiters. This technology has been developed and is available for demonstration.

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