Microfluidic device for pcr, probe hybridization and electrochemiluminescent detection of probe-target hybrids

Abstract

A microfluidic device for amplifying and detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a sample, the microfluidic device having a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) section for amplifying the target nucleic acid sequences, and, a hybridization section that has an array of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequences to form probe-target hybrids, and a plurality of electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse such that the probe-target hybrids emit a photon of light.

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

[0087]The PCR section, via the amplification of the target, provides the requisite sensitivity for target detection. The probe hybridization section provides for analysis of the targets via hybridization. The integrated PCR and probe hybridization sections substantially reduce the possibility of the introduction of contaminants into the assay, simplify the analysis stages, and provide for a small, light, and inexpensive single-device

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

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