Automated chip-based device for simple and fast nucleic acid amplification.
A chip-based PCR device is presented that is capable of rapid temperature ramping and handling sample volumes in the microliter range. The PCR chip comprises a microchannel thermally connected to three temperature zones. Inside this microchannel, the PCR sample plug is driven and precisely positioned by a ferrofluidic actuator for more than 40 cycles within 5 min. Computer simulations predict that the sample plugs are thermally equilibrated on a time scale of some 10 ms when transported to a different temperature zone. Hence, the thermal limitations on the cycle speed of the system are considerably reduced compared with conventional cyclers. The system was developed on a modular platform suitable for handling further microfluidic tasks such as DNA extraction and preparation of the PCR mix. Thus, the aspired chip-based platform represents not only a PCR system but a complete analysis system, from the injection of a patient's blood sample to its final appraisal.
Münchow
Götz
G
Fluidics and Simulation Department, Institut für Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbH, Carl-Zeiss-Strasse 18-20, 55129 Mainz, Germany. muenchow@imm-mainz.de
Dadic
Dalibor
D
Doffing
Frank
F
Hardt
Steffen
S
Drese
Klaus-Stefan
KS
D001331:Automation; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D004247:DNA