Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Lab Chip. 2012 Apr 21;12(8):1454-62. doi: 10.1039/c2lc21226a. Epub 2012 Feb 29.
By 2012, point of care (POC) testing will constitute roughly one third of the $59 billion in vitro diagnostics market. The ability to carry out multiplexed genetic testing and wireless connectivity are emerging as key attributes of future POC devices. In this study, an inexpensive, user-friendly and compact device (termed Gene-Z) is presented for rapid quantitative detection of multiple genetic markers with high sensitivity and specificity. Using a disposable valve-less polymer microfluidic chip containing four arrays of 15 reaction wells each with dehydrated primers for isothermal amplification, the Gene-Z enables simultaneous analysis of four samples, each for multiple genetic markers in parallel, requiring only a single pipetting step per sample for dispensing. To drastically reduce the cost and size of the real-time detector necessary for quantification, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was performed with a high concentration of SYTO-81, a non-inhibiting fluorescent DNA binding dye. The Gene-Z is operated using an iPod Touch, which also receives data and carries out automated analysis and reporting via a WiFi interface. This study presents data pertaining to performance of the device including sensitivity and reproducibility using genomic DNA from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Overall, the Gene-Z represents a significant step toward truly inexpensive and compact tools for POC genetic testing.
到 2012 年，即时检测（POC）将占体外诊断市场 590 亿美元的三分之一左右。进行多重基因检测和无线连接的能力正逐渐成为未来 POC 设备的关键属性。在这项研究中，我们提出了一种廉价、用户友好且紧凑的设备（称为 Gene-Z），用于快速、灵敏和特异地定量检测多个遗传标记。该 Gene-Z 使用含有四个 15 个反应孔阵列的一次性无阀聚合物微流控芯片，每个孔中都含有用于等温扩增的脱水引物，能够同时分析四个样本，每个样本都可以并行分析多个遗传标记，每个样本仅需要进行一次移液操作即可分配。为了大幅降低定量所需的实时检测仪的成本和尺寸，采用高浓度的 SYTO-81（一种非抑制性荧光 DNA 结合染料）进行环介导等温扩增（LAMP）。Gene-Z 使用 iPod Touch 操作，通过 Wi-Fi 接口接收数据并进行自动分析和报告。本研究提供了有关该设备性能的数据，包括使用大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的基因组 DNA 进行的灵敏度和重现性。总的来说，Gene-Z 是朝着真正廉价、紧凑的 POC 基因检测工具迈出的重要一步。
