Miniaturized devices for isothermal DNA amplification addressing DNA diagnostics

Abstract

Microfluidics is an emerging technology enabling the development of lab-on-a-chip systems for clinical diagnostics, drug discovery and screening, food safety and environmental analysis. Currently, available nucleic acid diagnostic tests take advantage of polymerase chain reaction that allows exponential amplification of portions of nucleic acid sequences that can be used as indicators for the identification of various diseases. At the same time, isothermal methods for DNA amplification are being developed and are preferred for their simplified protocols and the elimination of thermocycling. Here, we present a low-cost and fast DNA amplification device for isothermal helicase dependent amplification implemented in the detection of mutations related to breast cancer as well as the detection of Salmonella pathogens. The device is fabricated by mass production amenable technologies on printed circuit board substrates, where copper facilitates the incorporation of on-chip microheaters, defining the thermal zone necessary for isothermal amplification methods.