FieldNA: a 3D printed vertical microfluidic device for portable nucleic acid isolation from olive oil samples

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Nucleic acid isolation is crucial for molecular assays in healthcare, food safety, and forensics.
• Current extraction methods are often lab-bound, creating bottlenecks for field-deployable assays.
• Existing portable solutions frequently require external power and peripheral lab equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, portable, and disposable device for nucleic acid extraction.
• To minimize the need for specialized reagents and laboratory equipment in nucleic acid isolation.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of the device for DNA extraction from complex samples like olive oil.

Main Methods:

• A 3D printed, disposable device (FieldNA) utilizing gravity-driven vertical flow.
• Magnet-assisted bead washing and solid-liquid separation for nucleic acid purification.
• Comparison of FieldNA performance against CTAB/phenol chloroform and commercial filter column kits.

Main Results:

• The FieldNA device achieved nucleic acid yield and quality comparable to established laboratory methods.
• Demonstrated successful DNA extraction from olive oil samples, showcasing suitability for agricultural products.
• The optimized prototype showed repeatable performance across different sample batches.

Conclusions:

• The FieldNA device presents a viable, portable solution for nucleic acid extraction, overcoming current limitations.
• Its design minimizes reliance on external infrastructure, enabling field-based molecular testing.
• The technology shows promise for scalable implementation across diverse sectors, including food and health.