Target binding nucleic acids called aptamers can selectively bind to diverse biological and chemical targets with high affinity and selectivity, and thus are of great interest for use in clinical and biochemical applications. However, the discovery, isolation, and amplification these aptamers can be a time- and resource- intensive process. This technology presents a microfluidic bead-based polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) device capable of integrated identification, isolation, and amplification of nucleic acids. The device incorporates surface-based DNA isolation and amplification with a gel-based electrophoretic transport to achieve a high-throughput yet highly sensitive system for DNA detection and purification.
This device is a highly simplified microfluidic system consisting of two chambers for nucleic acid isolation and amplification that are connected by a microchannel containing agarose gel. After the desired nucleic acids bind to microbeads in the isolation chamber, the undesired sequences remain in solution and are washed away. Gel electrophoresis is employed to migrate the desired sequences to the amplification channel, where the sequence is replicated by PCR. This migration step eliminates the possibility of cross-contamination and the need for elaborate flow equipment, making this compact device economically efficient.
Experimental results demonstrate the utility of this device over a broad range of applications. The isolation and identification of various biomolecules, including pathogens, single-stranded DNA, and aptamers from complex mixtures has shown the specificity of the device. Additionally, single nucleotide polymorphisms have been detected using this technology, which can show promise for genetic disorder diagnosis.
Qaio Lin, Ph.D. Milan Stojanovic, Ph.D.
Patent Issued (WO/2013/119260)
Tech Ventures Reference: IR M11-110, CU13132, CU12184, CU12181, CU12179, CU12097