title: Miniaturized PCR chips for nucleic acid amplification and analysis: latest advances and future trends.
abstract: The possibility of performing fast and small-volume nucleic acid amplification and analysis on a single chip has attracted great interest. Devices based on this idea, referred to as micro total analysis, microfluidic analysis, or simply 'Lab on a chip' systems, have witnessed steady advances over the last several years. Here, we summarize recent research on chip substrates, surface treatments, PCR reaction volume and speed, architecture, approaches to eliminating cross-contamination and control and measurement of temperature and liquid flow. We also discuss product-detection methods, integration of functional components, biological samples used in PCR chips, potential applications and other practical issues related to implementation of lab-on-a-chip technologies.
authors.affiliation: MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
authors.forename: Chunsun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Da
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xing
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004279:DNA, Viral