A nanotransponder measuring just 250 x 250 x 100 µm (less than 1/1000th the size of a grain of rice) is the newest DNA microchip in PharmaSeq's family of microtransponders. Competitive devices are about the size of a Tylenol® capsule. The cube-shaped radio transmitter-receiver is the world's smallest externally powered monolithic integrated circuit capable of transmitting an identity code by radio frequency.
On board PharmaSeq's silicon chip device is an integrated circuit packed with photovoltaic cells, electronic memory, clock, logic, and antenna. Using a proprietary process, PharmaSeq attaches thousands of copies of an oligonucleotide probe to each transponder. Unlike current 2-D arrays, which index probes using Cartesian coordinates of the element on a large flat surface, Pharmaseq's novel 3-D transponders electronically store a serial number unique to each DNA sequence.
Different transponders carry different probes that highlight specific genetic diseases or mutations. According to Wlodek Mandecki, PharmaSeq president and CEO, ...
