Thermal Bed Design for Temperature-Controlled DNA Amplification Using Optoelectronic Sensors

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microfluidics
• Thermal Engineering

Background:

• Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) is a sensitive nucleic acid amplification method.
• Microfluidic lab-on-chip (LOC) integration (μ-LAMP) demands precise thermal management for optimal DNA amplification.
• Existing thermal control systems may lack reliability, modularity, or repairability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel thermal bed design for μ-LAMP applications.
• To develop a reliable, modular, and repairable heating platform.
• To achieve accurate and stable temperature control for μ-LAMP.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a thermal bed using PCB copper traces and FR-4 dielectric materials.
• Implementation of precise temperature control mechanisms.
• Validation using Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations.

Main Results:

• The thermal bed achieved accurate and stable temperature control within ±1.0 °C.
• FEM simulations demonstrated uniform temperature distribution.
• The system exhibited a rapid thermal response of 2.5 seconds to reach target temperatures.

Conclusions:

• The novel thermal bed design provides a reliable and precise heating platform for μ-LAMP.
• The system's performance is suitable for critical applications like disease diagnostics, biological safety, and forensic analysis.
• The modular and repairable nature enhances its practical utility in various scientific fields.