The biochips also raise the possibility of a micro-laboratory, the size of a credit card, which would be able to perform medical diagnostics, improve patient treatment by reducing the number of hospital visits needed for tests.
The research, which was carried out at the Wales College of Medicine, developed optical biochips that use special fluorescent chemicals together with tiny light emitting lasers to allow the scientists to analyse the cells or targets within the cells. Researchers can use this capability to examine cellular conditions for certain diseases or to develop new treatments by studying the way cells react to a drug.
"Our research and the outcomes from the spin-out company could help to revolutionise how we examine biological samples," said Professor Paul Smith, the research group leader.
"Our next step will be to develop simple, small diagnostic devices. Future generations may be able to use these as the basis for hand-held systems that will be able to perform diagnostic functions in the field that currently require a laboratory test."
The research team moved away from the idea that a microscope is something you have to look through to create optical biochips onto which scientists can place biological samples.
Professor Julia Goodfellow, chief executive of BBSRC, said, "The success of the research into biochips and the development of the science shows how cutting edge research in the biosciences can meet real world challenges."
Biochips have the potential to make a real difference in medical diagnostics and drug development. They have helped to dramatically accelerate the identification of the estimated 80,000 genes in human DNA, in the ongoing world-wide research of the Human Genome Project.
According to a new report by Select Biosciences, the protein biochip market is underserved, despite growing from $70 million (€53.8 million) in 2001 to $100 million (€77 million) in 2002. They project the market will grow to more than $400 million in 2007, a compound annual growth rate of more than 35 per cent.