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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Visual Detection of Multiple Nucleic Acids in a Capillary Array
Published on: November 15, 2017
A fully disposable and integrated paper-based device for nucleic acid extraction, amplification and detection
Ruihua Tang1, Hui Yang2, Yan Gong3
1School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, P.R. China. kittyyh@nwpu.edu.cn and Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, P.R. China and Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China.
This study presents a fully integrated, disposable paper device for nucleic acid testing (NAT). The device enables equipment-free, sample-in-answer-out NAT, making it suitable for point-of-care applications in remote settings.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microfluidics
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Nucleic acid testing (NAT) is crucial for diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring.
- Current NAT methods require large equipment and skilled personnel, limiting point-of-care (POC) applications.
- Existing paper-based NAT devices often need off-chip reagents and complex steps, hindering POC use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a fully disposable, integrated paper-based device for NAT.
- To enable sample-in-answer-out NAT with equipment-free amplification and simple operation.
- To overcome limitations of current NAT technologies for POC applications in resource-limited settings.
Main Methods:
- Integrated nucleic acid extraction, helicase-dependent isothermal amplification, and lateral flow assay detection on a single paper device.
- Utilized a sponge-based reservoir and paper valve for extraction.
- Incorporated an integrated battery, heater, and on-chip dried reagents for amplification.
- Employed a lateral flow test strip for naked-eye detection.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a fully disposable and integrated paper-based device for NAT.
- Achieved equipment-free nucleic acid amplification with simple operation steps.
- Successfully detected Salmonella typhimurium with a detection limit of 10^2 CFU ml^-1 in wastewater/egg and 10^3 CFU ml^-1 in milk/juice within an hour.
Conclusions:
- The developed paper-based device offers a simple, integrated solution for NAT.
- The device is suitable for untrained users in remote settings, enabling POC testing.
- This technology holds significant potential for resource-limited settings and future POC applications.
