Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
06:59
Rapid, Safe, and Simple Manual Bedside Nucleic Acid Extraction for the Detection of Virus in Whole Blood Samples
Published on: June 30, 2018
7.7K
A fully automated centrifugal microfluidic system for sample-to-answer viral nucleic acid testing
Fei Tian1,2, Chao Liu1,2, Jinqi Deng1,2
1CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement of Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190 China.
Science China. Chemistry
|August 25, 2020
Summary
A new automated microfluidic system offers rapid, sensitive viral nucleic acid testing (NAAT) outside specialized labs. This centrifugal system simplifies detection, improving global public health responses to infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Virus-induced infectious diseases present a significant global public health challenge.
- Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) is crucial for early viral detection and preventing transmission.
- Limitations of current NAAT include the need for skilled personnel, expensive equipment, and specialized laboratories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a fully automated centrifugal microfluidic system for viral nucleic acid testing.
- To achieve a sample-in-answer-out capability for sensitive, specific, and rapid viral detection.
- To enable accessible viral testing outside traditional laboratory settings.
Main Methods:
- Integration of nucleic acid release and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) on a microfluidic disc.
- Automated processing including reagent injection, fluid actuation, heating, temperature control, and fluorescence detection.
- Validation using severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) armored RNA particles in oropharyngeal swab samples.
Main Results:
- The system demonstrated a limit of detection as low as 2 copies per reaction for armored RNA particles.
- Achieved a throughput of 21 reactions per microfluidic disc.
- Provided a sample-to-answer time of approximately 70 minutes.
- The enclosed, automated system effectively prevents aerosol contamination.
Conclusions:
- The developed centrifugal microfluidic system offers a sensitive, specific, and rapid solution for viral nucleic acid testing.
- Its automated, enclosed nature enhances safety and accessibility, reducing the need for specialized facilities.
- This technology holds potential for widespread application in virus detection, particularly in resource-limited or point-of-care settings.
