An Integrated Electrolysis-Enrichment Microchip for Ultra-Rapid and Sensitive mRNA Detection

Messenger RNA (mRNA) detection plays a vital role in gene expression analysis, disease diagnosis, and precision medicine. However, current methods are limited by complex chemical-based extraction procedures and the rapid degradation of mRNA. To overcome these challenges, we developed an electrolysis-enrichment microfluidic chip (EEMC) that employs electricity-driven physical methods for ultra-rapid, efficient mRNA extraction directly from whole blood, eliminating the need for chemical reagents that can inhibit downstream analysis. By integrating electrolytic lysis with ion concentration polarization (ICP) enrichment, the EEMC completes the entire process within 10 min-6 times faster than conventional techniques, greatly avoiding the potential degradation. It achieves a high recovery efficiency of 90% to 95%, which surpasses the 85% to 90% efficiency of commercial RNA extraction kits. Combined with downstream loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), the EEMC provides a powerful solution for rapid mRNA processing and detection. Its efficacy was validated in radiation exposure models through the detection of key mRNA biomarkers (BAX, CDKN1A, and GADD45A). This environmentally friendly and high-performance platform advances point-of-care precision diagnostics.