Microelectronic DNA Sensor With Segmented Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microelectronic sensor devices are limited in their ability to accurately and cost-effectively investigate biological target substances, particularly during PCR processes, due to inadequate temperature control and simultaneous processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A microelectronic sensor device with a sample chamber, target-specific reactants, a sensor component, and a heating component with individually controllable heating elements, allowing for precise temperature control and multiplexed reactions, enabling efficient detection and processing of biological target substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microelectronic sensor device is used for biological target substance investigation, then detection capability is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating component is divided into multiple individually controllable heating elements arranged in an array, allowing independent temperature control for different regions of the sample chamber. This segmentation enables precise temperature control while maintaining the integrated sensor device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sample chamber can be controlled at different temperatures through the array of heating elements. This local quality control allows optimization of temperature conditions for different biochemical reactions occurring in different areas, improving both detection capability and temperature precision.
2Productivity
If multiple reactions are processed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sample chamber is divided into multiple regions with individually controllable heating elements, enabling simultaneous processing of multiple different biochemical reactions in parallel. Each region can be independently optimized for specific reaction conditions, achieving high productivity without requiring separate devices for each reaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The microelectronic sensor device integrates multiple functions including sensing, heating, and reaction processing in a single platform. The array of heating elements provides universal temperature control capability that can support various different biochemical reactions simultaneously, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices.
3Volume of moving object
If integrated heating and sensing components are used, then device miniaturization is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating component is implemented as an array of discrete heating elements that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while achieving device miniaturization through integration of multiple functions in a compact form.
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
The device enables accurate and cost-effective qualitative and quantitative detection of biological target substances, with enhanced sensitivity and specificity through precise temperature control and simultaneous processing of multiple reactions, improving PCR processes and hybridization analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The heating component may preferably convert electrical energy into heat that is transported into the sample chamber
Implementation Method 2
surface plasmon resonance and/or fluorescence resonance enhanced transfer to allow real-time monitoring of the PCR reaction
Implementation Method 3
fluorescence resonance enhanced transfer to allow real-time monitoring of the PCR reaction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4C
AI summary
The invention relates to a microelectronic sensor device and a method for the investigation of biological target substances (20), for example oligonucleotides like DNA fragments. In one embodiment, the device comprises a reaction surface (RS) to which target specific reactants (10) are attached and which lies between a sample chamber (SC) and an array of selectively controllable heating elements (HE). The temperature profile in the sample chamber (SC) can be controlled as desired to provide for example conditions for a PCR and/or for a controlled melting of hybridizations. The reactant (10) and/or the target substance (20) comprises a label (12) with an observable property, like fluorescence, that changes if the target substance (20) is bound to the reactant (10), said property being detected by an array of sensor elements, for example photosensors (SE). The fluorescence of the label (12) may preferably be transferred by FRET to a different fluorescent label (22) or quenched if the target substance (20) is bound.