title: A Simple, Low-Cost Platform for Real-Time Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification.
abstract: Advances in microfluidics and the introduction of isothermal nucleic acid amplification assays have resulted in a range of solutions for nucleic acid amplification tests suited for point of care and field use. However, miniaturisation of instrumentation for such assays has not seen such rapid advances and fluorescence based assays still depend on complex, bulky and expensive optics such as fluorescence microscopes, photomultiplier tubes and sensitive lens assemblies. In this work we demonstrate a robust, low cost platform for isothermal nucleic acid amplification on a microfluidic device. Using easily obtainable materials and commercial off-the-shelf components, we show real time fluorescence detection using a low cost photodiode and operational amplifier without need for lenses. Temperature regulation on the device is achieved using a heater fabricated with standard printed circuit board fabrication methods. These facile construction methods allow fabrications at a cost compatible with widespread deployment to resource poor settings.
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK. pascal.craw@csiro.au.|Oceans and Atmosphere flagship, Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. pascal.craw@csiro.au.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Craw
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK. eesrrem@brunel.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK. angel.naveenathayalan@brunel.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naveenathayalan
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK. chris.hudson@brunel.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK. Manoharanehru.Branavan@brunel.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Manoharanehru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Branavan
authors.affiliation: Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK. ssadiq@sgul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: S Tariq
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sadiq
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK. emstwwb@brunel.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Wamadeva
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Balachandran
mesh_terms: D003199:Computer Systems / Q000191:economics; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000378:metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices / Q000191:economics; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000191:economics; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D004265:DNA Helicases
keywords: helicase dependent amplification; isothermal amplification; molecular diagnostics; nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT); point-of care