新加坡南洋理工大学推出革命性的“ExoArc”芯片，改变血浆分离和精确诊断

新加坡南洋理工大学（NTU Singapore）的科学家开发了 ExoArc，这是一种硬币大小的芯片，可以在 30 分钟内从血液中分离血浆，一步去除超过 99.9% 的血细胞和血小板。该方法超越了当前的黄金标准离心过程，该过程可能需要长达一个小时，并且可能会引入污染。 ExoArc 能够提取高纯度血浆，用于无细胞 DNA、RNA 和细胞外囊泡的临床分析，有助于癌症和糖尿病等疾病的生物标志物筛查。

NTU Singapore Unveils Revolutionary 'ExoArc' Chip: A Paradigm Shift in Blood Plasma Isolation

新加坡南洋理工大学推出革命性的“ExoArc”芯片：血浆分离的范式转变

Singapore, July 19, 2023 - Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the field of clinical diagnostics with the development of 'ExoArc,' a compact and user-friendly chip that revolutionizes blood plasma isolation.

新加坡，2023 年 7 月 19 日 - 新加坡南洋理工大学（NTU Singapore）的科学家开发出“ExoArc”，在临床诊断领域实现了突破性的里程碑，这是一款紧凑且用户友好的芯片，彻底改变了血浆分离。

Replacing the Centrifuge: A Faster, More Accurate Approach

更换离心机：更快、更准确的方法

ExoArc, meticulously described in the prestigious journal ACS Nano, offers an elegant solution to the limitations of the current gold-standard method, the centrifuge. While centrifugation has long been the mainstay for isolating blood plasma, its multi-step process, extended duration, and potential for contamination have hindered its efficiency.

ExoArc 在著名的 ACS Nano 杂志上进行了详细描述，它为当前黄金标准方法（离心机）的局限性提供了一种优雅的解决方案。虽然离心长期以来一直是分离血浆的主要方法，但其多步骤过程、较长的持续时间和污染的可能性阻碍了其效率。

"Our aim was to develop a rapid and reliable alternative to the centrifuge, one that would provide high-purity plasma for precision diagnostics," said Associate Professor Hou Han Wei, lead scientist on the ExoArc project.

ExoArc 项目首席科学家侯汉伟副教授表示：“我们的目标是开发一种快速、可靠的离心机替代品，为精确诊断提供高纯度血浆。”

Harnessing the Power of Precision Microfluidics

利用精密微流体的力量

ExoArc leverages cutting-edge microfluidics, employing tiny channels within a compact chip to expertly separate blood plasma from red and white blood cells, as well as platelets. This ingenious mechanism eliminates the need for physical membranes or filters, enhancing efficiency and minimizing the risk of sample alteration.

ExoArc 利用尖端的微流体技术，利用紧凑芯片内的微小通道专业地将血浆与红细胞、白细胞以及血小板分离。这种巧妙的机制消除了对物理膜或过滤器的需求，提高了效率并最大限度地降低了样品改变的风险。

"We have harnessed a unique flow phenomenon within these microchannels to precisely separate biological components based on their size," explained Hou.

“我们利用这些微通道内独特的流动现象，根据生物成分的大小精确分离它们，”侯解释道。

Validation and Applications: Precision in Action

验证和应用：行动精准

In a proof-of-concept study, the NTU team constructed a portable ExoArc prototype device. Collaborating with clinicians from the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), they clinically validated ExoArc's capabilities.

在概念验证研究中，NTU 团队构建了便携式 ExoArc 原型设备。他们与新加坡国家癌症中心 (NCCS)、陈笃生医院 (TTSH) 和新加坡科学技术研究局 (A*STAR) 的临床医生合作，对 ExoArc 的功能进行了临床验证。

Using a biomarker panel to analyze blood plasma samples from healthy individuals and cancer patients, the team demonstrated ExoArc's remarkable diagnostic accuracy. "By minimizing contamination from degraded blood cells, we significantly enhance the precision of diagnostic tests, reducing anxiety and ultimately improving patient care," said Professor Darren Lim, Senior Consultant at NCCS.

该团队使用生物标志物组分析健康个体和癌症患者的血浆样本，证明了 ExoArc 卓越的诊断准确性。 NCCS 高级顾问 Darren Lim 教授表示：“通过最大限度地减少降解血细胞的污染，我们显着提高了诊断测试的精确度，减少了焦虑，并最终改善了患者护理。”

ExoArc's versatility extends beyond cancer diagnostics. The research team successfully employed the chip to study microRNA molecules from blood plasma samples of individuals with type 2 diabetes. This study highlighted ExoArc's potential for identifying disease-related biomarkers, unlocking avenues for personalized medicine.

ExoArc 的多功能性超出了癌症诊断的范围。研究小组成功地利用该芯片研究了 2 型糖尿病患者血浆样本中的 microRNA 分子。这项研究强调了 ExoArc 在识别疾病相关生物标志物方面的潜力，为个性化医疗开辟了途径。

"ExoArc holds immense promise for precision medicine, empowering clinicians to better manage chronic conditions like diabetes," said Associate Professor Rinkoo Dalan, Senior Consultant at TTSH.

TTSH 高级顾问 Rinkoo Dalan 副教授表示：“ExoArc 为精准医疗带来了巨大前景，使临床医生能够更好地管理糖尿病等慢性病。”

Beyond Blood Plasma Isolation: A Versatile Platform

超越血浆分离：多功能平台

ExoArc's capabilities are not limited to blood plasma isolation. By adjusting its size cut-off, the platform can also be utilized to isolate bacteria or viruses from blood or other biofluids. This versatility opens up exciting possibilities for research and diagnostics in various medical fields.

ExoArc 的功能不仅限于血浆分离。通过调整其尺寸截止值，该平台还可用于从血液或其他生物液体中分离细菌或病毒。这种多功能性为各个医学领域的研究和诊断开辟了令人兴奋的可能性。

Innovation with Global Impact

具有全球影响力的创新

NTU has filed two patent applications for the ExoArc innovation through NTUitive, its innovation and enterprise company. With its potential to significantly reduce sample preparation time and enhance diagnostic accuracy, ExoArc is poised to transform clinical diagnostics worldwide.

NTU 已通过其创新和企业公司 NTUitive 提交了两项 ExoArc 创新专利申请。 ExoArc 具有显着缩短样品制备时间并提高诊断准确性的潜力，有望改变全球临床诊断。

"ExoArc represents a significant advancement in sample preparation for molecular diagnostics, offering a faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective solution," concluded Hou. "We are eager to see this technology adopted in clinics and hospitals, empowering healthcare professionals to deliver better patient outcomes."

“ExoArc 代表了分子诊断样品制备方面的重大进步，提供了更快、更准确且更具成本效益的解决方案，”侯总结道。 “我们渴望看到这项技术在诊所和医院得到采用，使医疗保健专业人员能够提供更好的患者治疗结果。”