BACKGROUND:  Currently real time PCR is dependent on the detection of amplified DNA using optical device, which is expensive and limits the portability. As the demand for rapid, point-of-care diagnostics continues to rise, there is a need to find attractive solutions. Electrochemical biosensors have become a potential solution due to the minimal instrumentation that is needed and its scalability. However, the challenge arises with the integration of electrochemical biosensors into microscale devices. Currently, microscale devices, such as chip-based PCR, enable the user to use small quantities of reagents to detect biological samples. Even so, sequence-specific detection of PCR products is not integrated and does not detect PCR products in real-time. Therefore, there is a need for a microscale PCR device integrated with the real-time monitoring of electrochemical biosensors.

INNOVATION:  UCLA researchers have developed a novel microfluidic platform that integrates PCR amplification and sequence-specific real-time detection with electrochemical biosensors. Electronic sensor regions are incorporated into microfluidic channels that correspond to the annealing temperature zones. The sensor regions are fabricated with redox-labeled DNA probes attached on electrode surfaces. When these DNA probes come into contact and hybridize with PCR products, an electrochemical signal is produced and measured.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tool to perform various diagnostic tests and detect DNA or RNA in various biological samples or environmental monitoring.

ADVANTAGES

• Self-enclosed, microfluidic device reduces contamination potential
• Low-cost and field-portable
• High sensitivity, specificity and reliability
• Potential to perform PCR or reverse transcription (rt)-PCR from various samples

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  Proof-of-principle of the invention has been demonstrated.

Related Papers (Selected)

• Microfluidic Device Architecture for Electrochemical Patterning and Detection of Multiple DNA Sequences. Pavlovic E, Lai RY, Wu TT, Ferguson BS, Sun R, Plaxco KW, Soh HT. Langmuir. 2008 Jan 9. [more]

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2006-358