Dendron-Mediated DNA Chip for One-Step Nucleic Acid Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current DNA chip technologies for detecting nucleic acid molecules are cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to sample loss due to the need for multiple steps including DNA extraction, amplification, purification, and hybridization, which increases costs and reduces reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method for one-step nucleic acid detection using a DNA chip with immobilized probes, where a biological sample is added directly to a reaction chamber on the chip, allowing for simultaneous amplification and hybridization, facilitated by temperature cycling, and utilizing dendrons for controlled probe spacing to enhance sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple steps including DNA extraction, amplification, purification, and hybridization are used for nucleic acid detection, then detection reliability is improved, but processing time increases and sample loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate operations (DNA extraction, amplification, purification, and hybridization) into a single integrated reaction chamber on the DNA chip. The reaction chamber allows all these steps to occur sequentially without removing the sample, eliminating the time-consuming transfer and purification steps while maintaining detection reliability through the controlled microenvironment.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction chamber on the DNA chip serves multiple functions: it acts as the reaction vessel for DNA amplification, the purification medium, and the hybridization chamber. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate equipment and steps for each operation, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple steps including DNA extraction, amplification, purification, and hybridization are used for nucleic acid detection, then detection reliability is improved, but sample loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all detection steps within a single reaction chamber on the chip, the patent eliminates the need to transfer samples between different tubes and equipment. This continuous in-chip processing prevents sample loss that typically occurs during manual transfer and purification steps, while maintaining detection reliability through the controlled reaction environment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple steps including DNA extraction, amplification, purification, and hybridization are used for nucleic acid detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple complex operations into a single unified system - the reaction chamber on the DNA chip. While the individual steps (extraction, amplification, purification, hybridization) remain scientifically complex, their physical integration into one chamber simplifies the overall process by eliminating multiple manual operations, equipment changes, and sample transfers, making the system easier to operate and less prone to human error.
4Measurement precision
If dendrons are used for controlled probe spacing, then detection sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dendrons as intermediary molecules between the solid support surface and the capture probes. These dendritic structures provide built-in spacing and orientation control, ensuring optimal probe positioning for sensitivity while simplifying the manufacturing process by using a pre-designed molecular structure rather than requiring precise physical positioning of each probe.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach streamlines the process, reducing handling errors, saving time, and minimizing sample loss, while maintaining high sensitivity and reliability in nucleic acid detection, enabling efficient gene diagnosis in clinical settings.
Implementation Method 1
hybridization of the fluorescently labeled amplified DNA to a capture probe to form double stranded DNA attached to the solid surface
Implementation Method 2
denaturation of DNA (strand separation) at a high temperature
Implementation Method 3
annealing of primers that are complementary to either ends of a DNA region to be amplified
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to chips containing nucleic acid probes or primers and their use in methods to detect nucleic acid molecules. The invention includes DNA chips in contact with a thermocycler capable of automatically regulating the temperature, temperature cycle times, and number of temperature cycles of the chips to provide genetic diagnosis in one step.