The Micro and Nano Sensing Technology Laboratory (MANST) at the Institute of Medical Science and Technology in the National Sun Yat-sen University is focussed on engineering smart sensor systems to provide real world solutions in areas such as healthcare, robotics and environmental monitoring. The lab is headed by Professor Cheng-Hsin Chuang, who is also the institute chair, and is a renowned academic in the fields of smart sensors, medical devices, micro and nano electro mechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) and the Internet of Things (IoT). It also comprises of a vibrant group of students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities that work on a range of smart technologies which include biosensors for point-of-care diagnostics, tactile sensors for robotics, IoT-based logistics and wearable energy harvesters for self-powered sensing applications among others.
MANST Lab lead by Professor Cheng-Hsin Chuang with his postdoctoral, doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students gathered together for birthday celebrations.
Smart sensor systems are proliferating across countless applications as we move into an increasingly connected world. They play a pivotal role in modern society and are integral to the success of IoT and the Big Data revolution. In order to address the diversity in next-generation smart applications like smart cities, smart factories and smart hospitals, a fundamental understanding of the individual technology layers from transducers to complex sensor networks in a system perspective is essential. Our goal at MANST Lab is to develop innovative smart sensing/actuation technologies utilizing novel transducer materials, design innovative ways to power and communicate with them and utilize a “system integration” approach to provide holistic solutions for actual practical applications.
An area related to smart sensing that we are particularly interested in is the development of innovative biosensing technologies for providing improved healthcare services. There are strong indications in the marketplace that a digital healthcare revolution is coming. The enabling technology to do so will rely on biosensors incorporated around (deployable), on (wearable) and inside (implantable) the patient. At MANST Lab, we promote highly interdisciplinary research encompassing areas such as materials science, nanotechnology, biotechnology and electrical engineering to develop reliable and cost-effective biosensors and biomedical devices. For example, we wish to develop novel point-of-care testing platforms for detection of biomarkers (e.g. proteins, DNA and glycolipids) to enable early diagnosis of cancer, chronic disorders and infectious diseases like Covid-19. Our aim is to design high throughput screening systems as an alternative to conventional clinical tests that are generally time consuming, expensive and require well-equipped laboratories and trained professionals. In addition, these technologies are also in high demand for environmental monitoring (e.g. pathogens, toxins, heavy metals etc.), food safety and agriculture.
Point-of-care testing platforms developed by MANST Lab 1: Electrochemical immunosensor for ultrasensitive bladder cancer detection. (a) Schematic of synthesized nanoprobes, (b) Multiplexed microelectrodes patterned by photolithography, (c) Integrated platform for real-time cloud-based monitoring and (d) Testing of human urine samples to demonstrate clinical feasibility 2: Low-cost printed electrochemical immunosensor for quantifying microalbuminuria to enable early diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease. (a) Screen-printed electrodes on plastic substrates, (b) Sequential protocol for electrode surface modification, (c) Sensor response to clinical microalbuminuria concentration and (d) High specificity observed against interferences present in complex fluids like cell lysate.
Previously, we have developed nanomaterial based electrochemical biosensors for the point-of-care testing of chronic kidney disease and bladder cancer. We utilized novel nanoprobes (nanoparticles conjugated to antibodies) and nanocomposites which enable improved sensitivity for the detection of bladder cancer and chronic kidney disease. These nanomaterials not only enable enhanced bioreceptor immobilization, but also improve charge transfer and even act as transducing elements themselves, thus resulting in low achievable limits of detection. To summarize, we at MANST Lab believe that there is an urgent need for innovative biosensing and biomedical technologies that provide reliable and cost-effective healthcare solutions, especially in resource limited settings. Point-of-care diagnostics and continuous patient monitoring are two such trends that are driving the shift towards a patient-centric approach and decentralized healthcare. We look forward to inviting passionate students and promoting innovative research collaborations to contribute to these upcoming fields that will shape the future of tomorrow.