Loc device for electrochemiluminescent detection of target sequences with probes between a working electrode and a photosensor

Abstract

A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, the LOC device having probes with a nucleic acid sequence complementary to the target nucleic acid sequence for forming probe-target hybrids, and an electrochemiluminescent (ECL) luminophore, and, electrodes for generating an excited state in the ECL luminophore in which the ECL luminophore emits photons of light, wherein, the electrodes are arranged in pairs, one of the electrodes in each electrode pair being a working electrode which causes oxidation or reduction of the luminophore to generate an excited species that emits a photon, the working electrode being positioned such that the probes are between the photosensor and the working electrode.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to diagnostic devices that use microsystems technologies (MST). In particular, the invention relates to microfluidic and biochemical processing and analysis for molecular diagnostics.CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS[0002]The following applications have been filed by the Applicant which relate to the present application:GBS001USGBS002USGBS003USGBS005USGBS006USGSR001USGSR002USGAS001USGAS002USGAS003USGAS004USGAS006USGAS007USGAS008USGAS009USGAS010USGAS012USGAS013USGAS014USGAS015USGAS016USGAS017USGAS018USGAS019USGAS020USGAS021USGAS022USGAS023USGAS024USGAS025USGAS026USGAS027USGAS028USGAS030USGAS031USGAS032USGAS033USGAS034USGAS035USGAS036USGAS037USGAS038USGAS039USGAS040USGAS041USGAS042USGAS043USGAS044USGAS045USGAS046USGAS047USGAS048USGAS049USGAS050USGAS054USGAS055USGAS056USGAS057USGAS058USGAS059USGAS060USGAS061USGAS062USGAS063USGAS065USGAS066USGAS067USGAS068USGAS069USGAS070USGAS080USGAS081USGAS082USGAS083USGAS084USGAS085USGAS086USGAS087USGAS...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0088]An integrated photosensor has the advantage of higher optical efficiency than an off-chip sensor scheme. An integrated photosensor has the advantage of increased ease of synchronisation with other system events. An integrated photosensor has the advantage of decreasing the number of discrete components. Electrochemiluminescence has the advantage of efficient light generation at controlled locations in microfluidic environments. Furthermore, synchronisation with sensors is facilitated in comparison to techniques such as fluorescence. This enables more sensitive, and more specific, detection of target DNA. This LOC device has the advantage of less complex design and fabrication requirements, which will result in simpler, more reliable fabrication. This LOC device design has the advantage of increased coupling between the light emitting region and the photosensor.

Problems solved by technology

Insufficient stringency can result in a high degree of nonspecific binding.

Excessive stringency can lead to a failure of appropriate binding, which results in diminished sensitivity.

Despite the advantages that molecular diagnostic tests offer, the growth of this type of testing in the clinical laboratory has been slower than expected and remains a minor part of the practice of laboratory medicine.

This is primarily due to the complexity and costs associated with nucleic acid testing compared with tests based on methods not involving nucleic acids.

However, controlling fluid flow through the LOC device, adding reagents, controlling reaction conditions and so on necessitate bulky external plumbing and electronics.

Connecting a LOC device to these external devices effectively restricts the use of LOC devices for molecular diagnostics to the laboratory setting.

The cost of the external equipment and complexity of its operation precludes LOC-based molecular diagnostics as a practical option for point-of-care settings.

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