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A sample-to-answer, portable platform for rapid detection of pathogens with a smartphone interface
Yu-Dong Ma1, Kuang-Hsien Li2, Yi-Hong Chen1
1Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013 Taiwan. gwobin@pme.nthu.edu.tw.
Lab on a Chip
|October 18, 2019
Summary
A new smartphone-controlled system offers rapid, automated molecular diagnosis for infectious diseases. This portable device uses colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification for sensitive detection of viruses and bacteria at the point-of-care.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Medical Diagnostics
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Conventional infectious disease diagnostics face limitations like long turnaround times and low sensitivity.
- Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases necessitate rapid and accurate diagnostic tools.
- Current methods hinder timely medical intervention and disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an automated, portable system for rapid molecular diagnosis of pathogens.
- To integrate sample preparation, amplification, and detection onto a single microfluidic device.
- To enable smartphone control and monitoring for point-of-care applications.
Main Methods:
- A passive, self-driven microfluidic device utilizing colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP).
- Automated sample purification using magnetic beads, low-temperature pathogen lysis, and isothermal nucleic acid amplification.
- Smartphone-controlled punching-press mechanism for automated 40-minute analysis.
- Integrated color sensor for quantitative colorimetric assay result detection.
Main Results:
- The system successfully detected influenza A (H1N1) virus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
- Achieved limits of detection of 3.2 × 10-3 HAU/reaction for virus and 30 CFU/reaction for bacteria.
- Demonstrated high sensitivity suitable for clinical adoption and both qualitative and quantitative detection.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first automated, portable system for sensitive molecular diagnosis of both viruses and bacteria.
- The smartphone-controlled device offers an easy-to-use platform for accurate pathogen detection.
- The system is envisioned for clinical, point-of-care diagnostics, especially in resource-limited settings.
