September , 2005

Omron Bio-Sensing Research Selected as Core Research Project by Japan Science and Technology Agency

Rated as innovative technology representing Japan
The Advanced Device Laboratory of Omron’s Research and Development Headquarters is now conducting bio-sensing technology research into the “measurement of biomolecular response to environmental conditions using hybrid localized SPR (surface plasmon resonance).” This research was recently selected as a research theme of the Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST) initiative promoted by the independent administrative institution Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). As a result of its selection, Omron was awarded a research budget totaling 200 million yen. Omron’s research was among five CREST projects for 2005 selected from 95 entries, mainly from university and public research institutions renowned for their advanced level of academic study. Omron became the only private company to be selected, which made this achievement especially noteworthy and rewarding.

As Japan strives to become a science and technology-oriented nation, the CREST initiative aims to accept the challenge of meeting research goals that have great societal impact. These goals are designated by the Ministry of Ed ucation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and provide the benefits of research outcomes to society as a whole. Selection criteria for research themes therefore call for both technological innovation commensurate with Japan’s technological standards, and research concepts that match societal needs. Omron’s research project succeeded in meeting these challenging requirements.

Creating the world’s first palm-sized protein sensor
Bio-sensing technology, which is capable of detecting bioinformation such as protein expression and gene arrangement from such sources as protein and DNA, has generated high expectations as a nanotechnology that facilitates accurate and speedy diagnoses at a low cost.

The goal of the Advanced Device Laboratory’s research on measurement of biomolecular response to environmental conditions using hybrid localized SPR is to increase bio-sensing sensitivity up to 1,000 times that of the conventional level. The key to realizing this goal is Omron’s proprietary nano-structure control-based ultrahigh-precision duplication technology (see figure below). This technology can transform today’s large and bulky systems for protein analysis into a single palm-sized device, leading the way to the proliferation of bio-sensing technology among general medical institutions.

Promoting healthier, more secure and comfortable lives through bio-sensing
With the current environment and level of precision in health checks, it is still very difficult to detect and diagnose health problems in the early stages of lifestyle diseases (such as cancer, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipemia) or infectious diseases (such as influenza). Bio-sensing technology enables accurate, fast, simple and low-cost diagnoses of these diseases from just one drop of saliva, blood or other body fluids of patients. This is a true breakthrough that contributes to more healthy and secure lifestyles. From a business standpoint, the technology is expected to develop a market worth 1 trillion yen by 2010.

With its successful involvement in the CREST initiative as a stepping stone to expansion, Omron is
determined to work even harder to enter the new and exciting field of bio-sensing.

Reported by Shigeru Aoyama, Manager, Micro Photonics Group, Advanced Device Laboratory,
Research and Development HQ

Further details regarding JST and the CREST initiative are available at http://www.jst.go.jp.