NATURAL CONVECTION-DRIVEN PCR APPARATUS AND METHOD USING DISPOSABLE POLYMER CHIP

摘要

Provided is a natural convection-driven polymerase chain reaction (PCR) apparatus and method, which can periodically change temperature of a sample to make a natural convection-driven flow in a loop-shaped channel on a disposable polymer chip and contacting heating metal members maintained at different temperatures with channels. The natural convection-driven PCR apparatus includes: a polymer chip having a plurality of channels connected together to form a loop-shaped microchannel, a sample being filled inside the channels; a plurality of heating metal members contacting the loop-shaped microchannel of the polymer chip and transferring heat; a temperature controller connected to the heating metal members to maintain the heating metal members at different temperatures; a plurality of heaters connected to the heating metal members and the temperature controller to supply heat to the heating metal members; and temperature sensors connected to the heating metal members and the temperature controller.