Lecture
Emerging POCT technologies
- at -
- ICM Saal 4b
- Type: Lecture
Lecture description
Clinically relevant analytical techniques for point-of-care testing (POCT) applications have
evolved from simple handheld devices for blood glucose measurement and the first blood gas
analyzers in the 1960s to encompass a wide variety of methods and applications [1]. The general
detection principles of POCT analysis are as follows:
• Electrochemical methods (e.g., electrophoresis, potentiometry, amperometry),
• Methods based on mass changes (e.g., quartz microbalance),
• Optical methods
(e.g., spectrometry, refractometry, turbidimetry, fluorescence measurement),
• Chromatographic methods,
• Nucleic acid amplification and detection methods.
Challenges for the inauguration of new analytical technologies for clinical diagnostics are:
1. Novel single or multiplexed markers: Unmet clinical need is seen in the earlies identification
of (chronic) diseases, still in a treatable stage (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, malignancies).
Successful novel POCT applications are only possible with new discovered parameters.
2. Many POCT applications, such as lateral flow assays, are characterized by a notoriously poor
analytical sensitivity. In a series of clinical questions, however, ultrahigh sensitivity is crucial.
3. Robustness of the analytical technology: Pre-analytics must be straightforward and device
handling additionally must be fool-proof. Analytics must be traceable; there are still many
unsolved problems concerning microarrays and nanotechnology.
4. A gain of diagnostic information must be ensured for the biochemical/genetic testing
compared to imaging techniques. Competition to functional imaging techniques is always an
important issue!
The presentation will give an overview on three important sectors of POCT technologies:
• Continuous monitoring of metabolites. Here the emerging role of continuous glucose
monitoring for the treatment of people with diabetes mellitus is shown on the basis of a
series of extensive clinical trials.
• Single or multiplexed analysis of biomarkers. Emerging developments are illustrated
using the examples of aptamers as alternative recognition elements, nanoparticles and
DNA origami structures as novel elements in biosensorics.
• Nucleic Acid amplification techniques (NAAT) for POCT devices. NAAT is currently
revolutionizing the rapid detection and identification of infectious agents.
Literature:
[1] Luppa PB, Junker R (Eds). POCT – Patientennahe Labordiagnostik. 4. Auflage 2025,
Verlag Springer, Heidelberg.
evolved from simple handheld devices for blood glucose measurement and the first blood gas
analyzers in the 1960s to encompass a wide variety of methods and applications [1]. The general
detection principles of POCT analysis are as follows:
• Electrochemical methods (e.g., electrophoresis, potentiometry, amperometry),
• Methods based on mass changes (e.g., quartz microbalance),
• Optical methods
(e.g., spectrometry, refractometry, turbidimetry, fluorescence measurement),
• Chromatographic methods,
• Nucleic acid amplification and detection methods.
Challenges for the inauguration of new analytical technologies for clinical diagnostics are:
1. Novel single or multiplexed markers: Unmet clinical need is seen in the earlies identification
of (chronic) diseases, still in a treatable stage (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, malignancies).
Successful novel POCT applications are only possible with new discovered parameters.
2. Many POCT applications, such as lateral flow assays, are characterized by a notoriously poor
analytical sensitivity. In a series of clinical questions, however, ultrahigh sensitivity is crucial.
3. Robustness of the analytical technology: Pre-analytics must be straightforward and device
handling additionally must be fool-proof. Analytics must be traceable; there are still many
unsolved problems concerning microarrays and nanotechnology.
4. A gain of diagnostic information must be ensured for the biochemical/genetic testing
compared to imaging techniques. Competition to functional imaging techniques is always an
important issue!
The presentation will give an overview on three important sectors of POCT technologies:
• Continuous monitoring of metabolites. Here the emerging role of continuous glucose
monitoring for the treatment of people with diabetes mellitus is shown on the basis of a
series of extensive clinical trials.
• Single or multiplexed analysis of biomarkers. Emerging developments are illustrated
using the examples of aptamers as alternative recognition elements, nanoparticles and
DNA origami structures as novel elements in biosensorics.
• Nucleic Acid amplification techniques (NAAT) for POCT devices. NAAT is currently
revolutionizing the rapid detection and identification of infectious agents.
Literature:
[1] Luppa PB, Junker R (Eds). POCT – Patientennahe Labordiagnostik. 4. Auflage 2025,
Verlag Springer, Heidelberg.
