Guckenberger David J, Thomas Peter C, Rothbauer Jacob, LaVanway Alex J, Anderson Meghan, Gilson Dan, Fawcett Kevin, Berto Tristan, Barrett Kevin, Beebe David J, Berry Scott M
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
J Lab Autom. 2014 Jun;19(3):267-74. doi: 10.1177/2211068213518312. Epub 2014 Jan 8.
While potentially powerful, access to molecular diagnostics is substantially limited in the developing world. Here we present an approach to reduced cost molecular diagnostic instrumentation that has the potential to empower developing world communities by reducing costs through streamlining the sample preparation process. In addition, this instrument is capable of producing its own consumable devices on demand, reducing reliance on assay suppliers. Furthermore, this instrument is designed with an "open" architecture, allowing users to visually observe the assay process and make modifications as necessary (as opposed to traditional "black box" systems). This open environment enables integration of microfluidic fabrication and viral RNA purification onto an easy-to-use modular system via the use of interchangeable trays. Here we employ this system to develop a protocol to fabricate microfluidic devices and then use these devices to isolate viral RNA from serum for the measurement of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load. Results obtained from this method show significantly reduced error compared with similar nonautomated sample preparation processes.
虽然分子诊断技术可能具有强大的功能，但在发展中国家，获得分子诊断技术的机会却受到很大限制。在此，我们提出一种降低成本的分子诊断仪器方法，该方法有可能通过简化样品制备过程来降低成本，从而增强发展中国家社区的能力。此外，该仪器能够按需生产自己的消耗性设备，减少对检测供应商的依赖。此外，该仪器采用“开放式”架构设计，允许用户直观地观察检测过程并在必要时进行修改（与传统的“黑匣子”系统不同）。这种开放环境通过使用可互换的托盘，能够将微流体制备和病毒RNA纯化集成到一个易于使用的模块化系统上。在此，我们使用该系统开发了一种制备微流控设备的方案，然后使用这些设备从血清中分离病毒RNA，以测量人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）病毒载量。与类似的非自动化样品制备过程相比，该方法获得的结果显示误差显著降低。
