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Mini-thermal platform integrated with microfluidic device with on-site detection for real-time DNA amplification
Madhusudan B Kulkarni1, Sanket Goel1
1MEMS, Microfluidics & Nano Electronics (MMNE) Lab, Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Sciences (BITS), Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, 500078, Telangana, India.
This study presents a miniaturized, Internet-of-Things-integrated microfluidic device for rapid, low-cost, point-of-care genetic material detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The system successfully amplified and detected the GAPDH gene, showing potential for infectious disease diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Point-of-Care Technology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for advanced point-of-care diagnostic tools.
- Existing point-of-care devices often lack the required speed, accuracy, and field-deployability for genetic material amplification and detection.
- A significant demand exists for miniaturized, cost-effective, and user-friendly polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an automated, integrated, miniaturized, and cost-effective microfluidic continuous flow-based PCR device.
- To enable on-site detection of genetic material.
- To create an Internet-of-Things (IoT) enabled platform for enhanced accessibility and data management.
Main Methods:
- Development of a microfluidic continuous flow system integrated with a miniaturized thermal platform.
- Implementation of an Internet-of-Things (IoT) architecture for automation and remote monitoring.
- Proof-of-application using the amplification and detection of the 594-bp GAPDH gene.
Main Results:
- Successful amplification and detection of the GAPDH gene on the integrated microfluidic PCR device.
- Demonstration of a single system capable of performing the entire process from sample to result.
- The developed device is miniaturized, cost-effective, and suitable for field deployment.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic PCR device meets the requirements for rapid, accurate, and on-site genetic material detection.
- The integrated IoT system offers potential for widespread application in infectious disease diagnostics.
- This technology has the potential to significantly impact point-of-care diagnostics for various infectious agents.
