OUR MISSION
mFluiDx is aiming to develop the world’s lowest cost, automated point-of-care DNA diagnostic assay for small clinics. In small clinics, such as primary care out-patient clinics, disease diagnosis is typically done by observing symptoms or using paper-strip antibody tests. However, these methods have poor sensitivity compared to DNA diagnostics. Highly sensitive molecular DNA tests (PCR) are not often used because of cost and the need to send tests off-site resulting in a slow turnaround time (several days).
mFluiDx is a UC Berkeley startup developing Gates Foundation funded low-cost microfluidic diagnostic technologies capable of on-site multi-target isothermal DNA detection of infectious diseases with simple operation and ~100X lower cost than PCR setups. We aim to create assays that can be deployed in decentralized settings, are as simple and cheap as paper tests, yet have DNA level sensitivity for onsite diagnosis.
GATES FOUNDATION FUNDED TECHNOLOGY
UC Berkeley spin-out startup
OUR TECHNOLOGY
mFluiDx is developing vacuum based microfluidic technology. The technology is published with peer-review. Our publication is ranked as one of the top 5% accessed scientific articles historically.
Benefits:
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Vacuum microfluidics allows extremely low system cost possible because no external equipment such as pumps are needed.
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Multi-target testing possible.
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High sensitivity and Specificity, comparable results with PCR, using isothermal amplification.
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Automated assay designed for CLIA-waived settings.
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Cloud data integration via mobile devices.
MFLUIDX IN PRESS
Techcruch Battlefield presentation
mFluiDx selected as one of the top 20 startups to pitch at Techcrunch Battlefield, from a pool of 900 startups globally. Founder and CEO- Charlie Yeh
WE ARE HIRING
Positions available, combinations of skills sets are major pluses
GRANT WRITER
Experience in grant writing. Experience in leading writing grants, not just supporting writing, would be major plus. Applicant’s would be participating in writing SBIR grants.
PATENT AGENT
Ideally a U.S. and China licensed patent agent. With microfluidic research experience. Point of care diagnostics experience is a major plus.
MICROFLUIDIC ENGINEER
Scalable engineering of microfluidics chips, design of microfluidic chips, experience with injection molding, soft lithography, PDMS molding casting and bonding, 3D and 2D CAD, rapid prototyping by laser cutter and 3D printing. Diagnostics related research experience.
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENGINEER
To develop a embedded electronic system of mFluiDx’s optical reader that includes, not restricted by, heating systems, motors, electromagnets, bluetooth smartphone app connectivity, camera, LED, cooling systems, power supply. Need EECS skills, microcontroller experience, robotics, mechanical engineering, Arduino, PCB layout, app API interface, labview, 2D and 3D CAD, electronics engineering, 3D prototyping.
COMPUTER VISION PROGRAMMER
Design automated image analysis software to read fluorescence optical results of microfluidic chips through camera, and integrate with IOS and Android App systems. AI, image analysis, machine learning, open CV, python, C++, Java, X code, IOS, imageJ, Android would be major plus.
REAGENT PATTERNING ENGINEER
Participate in designing scalable manufacturing techniques to deposit reagents onto chips and stabilize for storage and multi target testing. Experience with inkjet printing and lyophilizing would be a plus.
MOLECULAR ASSAY SCIENTIST
PCR and isothermal primer/probe design, isothermal assay optimization, primer/probe empirical testing. Specialties in human infectious disease or animal infectious disease is a plus. Design and run clinical trials. Can do bio safety level-2 blood work and infectious bio specimen handling. Participate in field trials at clinics.
SAMPLE PREPARATION SCIENTIST
Participate in automated sample prep development. Optimize reagents. Experience in spin columns and magnetic bead DNA extraction.
MFLUIDX'S SUPPORTERS
Part of the QB3 incubator startup network.
Selected to participate in Indiebio, the world's leading life accelerator.
Selected as top 7 startups from 87 Berkeley teams to participate in CITRIS Foundry .
Completed NSF ICORPS regional and national node for lean startup methodology training. Conducted 200+ in-person interviews in 6 U.S. states, 4 countries for product-market fit and business model validation.