Digital Microfluidic Plasmonic Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Device

Patent Status

Patent Pending

Brief Description

PCR tests have a wide variety of applications, including the diagnosis of infectious organisms such as viruses and bacterias, as well as cloning, mutagenesis, sequencing, gene expression, and more. The test has become a gold standard for detecting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In the PCR process, a gene or part of the DNA of the infecting organism is amplified exponentially to the extent that it can be detected using conventional methods like gel electrophoresis. This invention addresses the following challenges in current PCR methods: a long sample to answer time; and manual manipulation by humans, which increases the error rate in the tests. 

Suggested uses

• Fast disease diagnosis (i.e., Covid-19 tests)
• Cloning
• Sequencing

Advantages

This technology increases the speed and efficiency of the polymerous chain reaction (PCR) by improving temperature change and heat transfer rates. The amplification improvements are achieved by combining the electrowetting and plasmonic heating in one device.  

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