N-Heterocyclic Carbene Substrate for Rapid Light-Driven PCR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PCR machines using electrical energy for thermal management are inconvenient for on-site diagnostics due to their size, long reaction times, and inability to perform multiple diagnoses simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A substrate for nucleic acid amplification is developed, featuring a transparent matrix with a metal layer and an N-heterocyclic carbene compound as a linker to immobilize primers, enabling rapid and stable PCR reactions using light energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical energy-based thermal management is used in PCR machines, then stable thermal control is achieved, but the apparatus occupies much space and requires long reaction time (1 hour or more)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electrical heating system with a light energy-based thermal management system. The light source directly irradiates the reaction chamber, eliminating the need for complex heating instruments and heat sinks, thereby reducing apparatus size and enabling faster temperature changes for PCR reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy input method from electrical energy to light energy. This parameter change allows for rapid temperature adjustment by controlling light intensity and duration, achieving both compact apparatus design and reduced reaction time while maintaining thermal control stability
2Reliability
If conventional electrical energy-based thermal management is used in PCR machines, then thermal control is achieved, but the apparatus is inconvenient for on-site diagnosis due to its size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the bulky electrical heating system with a compact light energy-based system. The light source can be integrated into portable devices, making the apparatus suitable for on-site diagnosis while maintaining effective thermal control for PCR reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary heating instruments and heat sinks from the conventional PCR machine design. By using light energy directly for heating, the apparatus is simplified and made portable for on-site use while retaining thermal control capability
3Volume of moving object
If light energy-based PCR system is used, then apparatus size is reduced, but PCR is performed in liquid phase only and multiple diagnoses in one chamber is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reaction chamber into multiple independent zones or compartments, each capable of performing separate PCR reactions. This segmentation enables multiple diagnoses to be performed simultaneously in one chamber while maintaining the compact light energy-based design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the light energy-based PCR system to perform multiple functions: it can conduct PCR reactions in solid phase, enable multiple simultaneous diagnoses through multi-chamber or multi-zone configuration, and provide primer recovery capabilities, making the apparatus highly versatile for on-site diagnostic applications
4Ease of manufacture
If thiol bond is used to attach primer to metal layer, then simple attachment is achieved, but the bond is unstable at high temperature during PCR
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical bonding method from thiol bond to silane bond. The silane bond provides enhanced thermal stability during PCR reactions while maintaining ease of attachment to the metal layer, resolving the contradiction between simple attachment and high-temperature stability
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 substrate allows for rapid completion of PCR reactions in a short time, stability at high temperatures, easy primer recovery, and simultaneous amplification of diverse nucleic acids, enhancing on-site diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an N-heterocyclic carbene compound having one end bonded to the surface of the metal layer and a primer immobilized on the other end of the N-heterocyclic carbene compound
Implementation Method 2
amplifying nucleic acid using thermal energy generated by irradiating light energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a substrate for nucleic acid amplification, and a method for manufacturing same, the substrate for rapid and accurate PCR analysis comprising: a transparent substrate; a metal layer formed on the transparent substrate; an N-heterocyclic carbene compound having one end annealed to the surface of the metal layer; and a primer immobilized on the other end of the N-heterocyclic carbene compound.