title: Thermoelectric method for sequencing DNA.
abstract: This study describes a novel, thermoelectric method for DNA sequencing in a microfluidic device. The method measures the heat released when DNA polymerase inserts a deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate into a primed DNA template. The study describes the principle of operation of a laminar flow microfluidic chip with a reaction zone that contains DNA template/primer complex immobilized to the inner surface of the device's lower channel wall. A thin-film thermopile attached to the external surface of the lower channel wall measures the dynamic change in temperature that results when Klenow polymerase inserts a deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate into the DNA template. The intrinsic rejection of common-mode thermal signals by the thermopile in combination with hydrodynamic focused flow allows for the measurement of temperature changes on the order of 10(-4) K without control of ambient temperature. To demonstrate the method, we report the sequencing of a model oligonucleotide containing 12 bases. Results demonstrate that it is feasible to sequence DNA by measuring the heat released during nucleotide incorporation. This thermoelectric method for sequencing DNA may offer a novel new method of DNA sequencing for personalized medicine applications.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science, Louisiana Tech University, P.O. Box 10157/BEC228, 818 Nelson Avenue, Ruston, LA 71272, USA.
authors.forename: Gergana G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Nestorova
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Guilbeau
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004247:DNA; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase