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Electrokinetic Nucleic Acid Amplification (E-NAAMP) Using Paper-PDMS Microfluidics and High-Frequency Joule Heating
Jarad Yost1, Md Nazibul Islam1,2, Zachary Gagnon1
1Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Electrophoresis
|March 17, 2026
Summary
We developed electrokinetic nucleic acid amplification (E-NAAMP) on paper-based microfluidic devices. This novel method uses radio frequency (RF) Joule heating for rapid nucleic acid amplification (NAA), offering a simpler alternative to traditional devices.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microfluidics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Nucleic acid amplification (NAA) is crucial for molecular diagnostics.
- Traditional microfluidic devices for NAA can be complex and expensive to fabricate.
- Paper-based platforms offer potential for low-cost, portable diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel paper-based nucleic acid amplification technique using electrokinetic nucleic acid amplification (E-NAAMP).
- To investigate the feasibility of using radio frequency (RF) Joule heating for NAA in microfluidic paper channels.
- To assess the role of carrier proteins in paper-based NAA.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the microfluidic pressure-in-paper (µPiP) method to create paper-based microfluidic channels.
- Employed conductive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) electrodes infused with carbon black for RF potential application.
- Integrated loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction within the paper channels for NAA.
- Performed numerical simulations and experimental measurements to analyze pore-scale temperature profiles.
- Investigated the necessity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) for successful NAA.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful nucleic acid amplification (NAA) in paper-based microfluidic channels using E-NAAMP.
- RF Joule heating effectively induced isothermal conditions for NAA within the paper structure.
- Numerical and experimental temperature profiles showed good agreement, validating the heating method.
- Confirmed that bovine serum albumin (BSA) is essential to prevent polymerase adsorption in paper-based NAA.
- Achieved successful NAA across various paper fiber types.
Conclusions:
- E-NAAMP is a viable and effective method for nucleic acid amplification on paper-based microfluidic platforms.
- RF Joule heating provides a miniaturized and simplified approach to heating for paper-based NAA.
- The findings suggest E-NAAMP offers a promising alternative to conventional microfluidic NAA devices for point-of-care applications.
