Lab-on-a-chip PCR in continuous-flow: an ultrafast analytical tool forB-agents

摘要

The overall aim is the realization of a reliable, ultrafast, and portable tool for the identification of B-agents at the point of interest. PCR is the method to be used for the doubtless identification of e.g. bacteria, and viruses. Miniaturization is the way to include the overall analysis process, from sample preparation to detection, on a microtiterplate-sized consumable device and to allow to carry out the analysis without the need for an equipped biological laboratory. The novel PCR concept with constant temperature zones allows also for the instrument to become portable, due to much reduced power consumption since no thermocycling is necessary. This paper focuses on the overall concept to implement the biological reactions for the analysis on-chip, the methods of sample preparation on-chip, and the results of the ultrafast PCR with B-agents on-chip, as well as the basic instrument.