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A Silicon-Based PDMS-PEG Copolymer Microfluidic Chip for Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Diagnosis
Siyu Yang1,2,3, Qingyue Xian1,2, Yiteng Liu1,2
1Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas, Interdisciplinary Program Office, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
|April 27, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel polydimethylsiloxane-polyethylene-glycol (PDMS-PEG) copolymer silicon chip (PPc-Si chip) for enhanced biomolecular diagnostics. The modified chip offers improved hydrophilicity and optical properties, enabling efficient real-time PCR and potential for point-of-care tests.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microfluidics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is common in microfluidic devices for biological research.
- PDMS's hydrophobicity and gas permeability limit its use in certain applications.
- Real-time nucleic acid testing benefits from PDMS microfluidic chips due to biocompatibility and transparency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel silicon-based PDMS-PEG copolymer microfluidic chip (PPc-Si chip) for improved biomolecular diagnostics.
- To enhance the hydrophilicity and optical properties of PDMS microfluidic chips.
- To evaluate the chip's performance in real-time PCR and its potential for point-of-care testing.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a silicon-based PDMS-PEG copolymer microfluidic chip.
- Modification of PDMS to enhance hydrophilicity by introducing hydroxyl groups.
- Characterization of optical properties (transmittance) across a wide wavelength range (200-1000 nm).
- Evaluation of chip bonding strength and ease of assembly.
- Conducting real-time PCR tests to assess efficiency and non-specific absorption.
Main Results:
- The PDMS-PEG copolymer silicon chip (PPc-Si chip) exhibited a rapid hydrophilic switch within 15 seconds.
- Optical transmittance remained high (0.8% reduction) after modification.
- Excellent bonding strength was achieved under easy and time-saving conditions.
- Real-time PCR tests showed higher efficiency and reduced non-specific absorption compared to unmodified PDMS.
- Optical properties were characterized across 200-1000 nm, providing a reference for optical applications.
Conclusions:
- The developed PPc-Si chip overcomes PDMS limitations, offering enhanced hydrophilicity and optical clarity.
- The chip demonstrates superior performance in real-time PCR, indicating its utility for sensitive diagnostics.
- The PPc-Si chip holds significant potential for point-of-care tests (POCT) and rapid disease diagnosis.
